After having good results with the Ivy Lee method, my next experiment is with a Bullet Journal. I’ve heard several people mention bullet journals and I’ve been looking for an excuse to check it out.
A bullet journal is a customizable planner and diary that allows you to track your tasks and goals using a simple system of symbols. Whether you're a student, a professional, or a busy parent, a bullet journal can help you stay on top of your schedule and make the most of your time
Getting the right information on insurance for your small business can be the difference between success and failure when minor or major events inevitably happen in your small business. It's important to assess your specific risks and consult with an insurance professional to determine the most suitable coverage for your business.
Read MoreAccording to the American Marketing Association marketing is “the activity, institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for your customers, clients, partners, and society at large.” So, we are talking about a lot more than putting an ad in the local paper, right? Let’s first get laser-focused on why you are in business.
Read MoreSince time management and productivity seem to be common themes among people these days, I resolved to do some research and find some solutions to help the SBDC team. After a few minutes online, it became clear that there are just a ton of different strategies to manage your time effectively.
Read MoreFinancial Literacy is an imperative part of running your business. Understanding your business numbers is essential as they provide feedback on how your business is performing and if it is profitable. As a business owner, you must get familiar with business finance, the terminology, and how understanding business finance can help you. Once you understand business financial literacy, it can change the path of your business and increase profits, which creates wealth for your business.
Read MoreBy watching these numbers over time in a regular disciplined way, you can effectively manage your business. Moreover, since you are measuring performance on a short time interval (week), a slight deviation from the expected performance can be quickly dealt with.
Read MoreMarch 8th celebrates International Women’s Day: a time to uplift, recognize and honor the achievements of women around the world. Let’s take this month to show admiration for the women in our lives, and to recognize and commemorate the progress that has been made for women’s rights and equality. Moreover, let’s make a concerted effort to underpin the continued endeavors and strides that are conducive to realizing business opportunities and financial expansion for women.
Read MoreIt is March and this month we will celebrate International Women’s Day. My first experience celebrating this day was in 2014 while I was traveling in Vietnam. I had been in the country for about 10 days and was relatively acquainted with the day-to-day routines of the culture. However, March 8th was a different day!
Walking through the markets I was gifted with fresh flowers and other small goods from each vendor stall. It took me a bit to realize why I was receiving these gifts, then turning a corner I found a giant billboard posted in recognition of International Women’s Day. Nearly a decade later, this day is celebrated much more intentionally around the world and in the workplace.
In the latter half of 2021 into early 2022, we felt the impact of pent-up demand, higher rates of consumer spending with less goods in the marketplace due to back up at the ports of inbound goods from overseas countries. Due to these factors, we felt the rise of the cost of goods that factories passed on to retailers, and retailers in turn, passed on to their consumers. Gas prices and interest rates went up. Consumers felt their dollar being stretched thinner, which ultimately slowed spending again. Spending in November and December 2022 slowed dramatically, as consumers were more conservative with a looming threat of a recession and a weaker job market.
So, what will 2023 bring?
Read MoreAccess to capital is a critical need for new and existing entrepreneurs as they start and grow their small businesses. The Kentucky SBDC in Louisville provides information on financing options available to small businesses and helps in preparing a loan application with the documentation necessary to obtain the capital needed. Business Coaches can aid you in finding sources of funding, deciding the amount of funding needed, preparing financial projections, and preparing you for meetings with lenders/potential investors.
Read MoreThe moment your business opens you are marketing. Every moment you interact with a customer, or someone sees your logo - you are marketing. Marketing is fundamental to creating exponential growth in your company.
Read MoreAs a Business Coach, I meet hundreds of entrepreneurs who want to strategically market and increase their brands. In the upcoming New Year, there will be many new marketing trends and strategies that infuse your products and services with new energy and appeal. I chose to list 3 of the top marketing trends and strategies for 2023.
Read MoreOften, overhead costs, and particularly rent costs, are one of the largest expenses a small business has each month. When businesses are just starting out, I always encourage my clients to keep overhead as low as possible. Using a home office, co-working space, library, or other low-cost option will keep initial expenses at bay and allow your business to start making a profit sooner rather than later
Read MoreThe key to success is not only measuring your business’s health frequently but also determining what are the right KPI’s to measure. And data can be both historical, meaning they compile for us what we’ve done in the past or they can predict what our performance will be.
Read MoreWhile running a small business does not always afford a dedicated HR employee, you, as the business owner, will likely be the one running the HR ship so to speak. In my experience, a well-taken care of employee is invaluable to the success of your small business.
Read MoreApple is known for its innovative products and stellar customer service. However, it's the company's attention to detail that sets it apart from the competition. For example, Apple has a dedicated team that monitors its financial dashboard on a daily basis. This allows the company to make quick adjustments to its business strategy if needed.
Read MoreBeing cognizant that our veterans are the vanguard of the liberty of our country against threats, both foreign and domestic, evokes sentiments of profound gratitude. We are indebted to their bravery, as veterans were willing to pay the ultimate price for the sake of America and her ideals. They merit our heartfelt thanks.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) honors veterans by providing a variety of programs that assist with the transition from the military to entrepreneurship.
Summer has ended and you may be looking forward to a bit of rest after running your business at full capacity over the last several months. Maybe you are tempted to ride out the fall and then somewhere around Thanksgiving start planning for the holiday season. While you may be able to wrangle up some intriguing new ideas, or fun holiday promotions, you are selling yourself short. It’s time to start planning now.
Read MoreCreating a business budget can be overwhelming. There are so many factors to consider, and it's hard to know where to start. But don't worry, we're here to help! In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the 8 essential steps to creating a business budget that works. By following these steps, you'll be able to develop a budget that helps you achieve your financial goals and grow your business. So, let's get started!
Read MoreBootstrapping refers to the process of starting and growing a business with limited resources. Bootstrapping is often necessary for entrepreneurs who don't have access to traditional sources of funding, such as venture capital or bank loans. In many cases, bootstrapping can be a more viable option than taking on debt or giving up equity in your business.
There are several ways to bootstrap a business.
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