NORTHFIELD, Minn. — (February 15, 2011) – Women consider starting their own business for a number of reasons. Follow their bliss. Combine work and family. Pay the bills. Business development coaches can be a key asset for start-ups. Attending an informal seminar, I found that several ideas struck home with me as an ‘emerging ‘entrepreneur.
Are you starting your business for the right reasons?
Make money. Pay the bills. These may be your reasons to start a business. However, they are not what will attract others to support your business.
Jennifer, one of the leaders shared that she loves small communities. She has two downtown hotels, aka ‘community gems’ as she believes they are an asset in small towns. The community investment makes it an exciting business for her.
Women Enterpreneurs Talk Over Ideas
Do your personal objectives line up with your business objectives?
Spend more time with my children. Have more flexibility. Do my work in my pajamas. These might be your personal objectives. Blake, a business coach said that if your business objective is to earn money, your personal and business objectives must line up well with one another. Owning and operating a small business is time consuming.
Geralyn shared that she is ‘burning up the computer’ at night to find out everything she can about the concept she is developing. A former executive, she adopted a five year old girl and became a consultant. She was able to do that successfully although worked diligently to do so.
Are you capable of business management or what help do you need?
Business plans. Financial returns. Sales and market share. If these concepts bore you completely, you may want to find others to assist in your business. There is a difference between knowing what talent you need and doing it all yourself.
What is your business concept and how do you intend to make money with it?
Senior care, web-site design, administrative services, and more ideas were shared by women at the seminar. The business idea seemed to come before the financial side. One story was shared about starting a craft cooperative. The woman called three successful craft cooperative owners in the area. From them she learned their processes and other useful tips. A consultant shared that she called many people in the field and found the ‘going rate’ for her services.
How do you approach sales and marketing?
One woman said that she finds direct sales intimidating. Megan, the business coach said to picture you cloaked in a superwoman cloak. You have what someone else needs. You can be the solution to something they need. Or you can find someone else who lives connecting with others and is a more natural sales person.
What resources are helpful?
Several books were recommended including:
- The One Day Business Plan
- Art of the Start
- Simply Shine
- Crisis Proof Your Practice
- Strengths Finder
Women left the seminar sharing ideas with one another. Several intend to return for the upcoming sessions -“What is My Business Concept and Can I Make Any Money?” It is on my calendar.
Strategic planner, facilitator, and trainer Donna Rae Scheffert helps propel people toward their goals easier, faster, and with more fun. Sign up for a RSS feed and read more from Donna Rae at Online-Leadership-Tools. Follow Donna Rae on Twitter or LinkedIn.
This article is the copyrighted property of the writer and Communities @ WashingtonTimes.com. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media. REPRINTING TWTC CONTENT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.
