Starting the Business...am I crazy?

It has been a while since I've written and it is because staying positive when on your own is a challenge and sometimes a struggle.  There are no two ways about it.  What can I say?  Any of you who are struggling to build your business or working hard to maintain it knows the feeling.  You feel good about things one day but then something changes whether it's a check that doesn't arrive or a call that doesn't come or results that seem so far below any expectation...the day seems dark and you begin to doubt if all your efforts will work.

I am almost two full months into this state of mind and as I read through my daily diary I see how my marketing efforts were full out in the beginning and now have slowed down.  It's time to "hit it and hit it hard" as my father used to say!  I will confess that I finally purchased a laser printer so the letters printed looked a bit better than my old printer.  That was a good investment.  However, I still need to revisit the first mailings and send the second.  Followup...followup...followup...that is the key to building.

I have a friend who has been in sales all his life.  In fact that is how we met back in 1975.  Back then he was the top salesman for his company winning trips every year to exotic places.  He knew how to sell.  Now 35 years later he continues to be successful and continues to win those trips.  In fact about a month ago he and his wife went on a trip to the Bahamas...yes, he won this.  However, over the span of 35 years, through all kinds of economic times and with the pressure of family [kids in college etc] he has continued to be a top salesman.  He has always been an inspiration to me.

By nature I'm not a born saleswoman.  I'm basically shy and my type of work has not required such talents to be developed.  High time to start...but in fact now is a great time to start.  What better time to feel confident about the services I have to sell?  I have over 30 years of experience working in all types of business environments, over 15 years working specifically with individuals and small businesses and a Masters Degree in Psychology with training and experience as a marriage & family therapist.  What better time to feel good and confident about what I have to offer?

So the same holds true for all of you who are in my position.  Remember that you have paid your dues in experimenting, learning, trying & educating yourself in the ways of business.  What better time to sell that experience and feel good about what you have to offer your client or customer?  Don't forget that you can not be all things to all customers...just identify what you are good at and work that skill.  If you persevere and believe in yourself and work hard, you too will become successful.

Getting Motivated while under the gun!

If you are reading this you too are trying to find ways to keep going...keep moving forward.  I know because that's what I'm trying to do by getting connected to others who are walking in the same shoes (though probably different size.)

When I think about how many people out there are unemployed I say to myself...wow!  Now there's opportunities for all those folks out there just waiting to be seized and delivered.  What you say?  Yep, if you have worked for a number of years or possibly many years like I have, certainly you have developed skills and talents that people will buy.  Now is a great time to test the waters.  Why not?  If you're still looking for a job you have time to be creative.  Why not sit down and discover what area(s) you are truly talented in and is there a market for this talent?  Surely opening your mind to the possibilities of turning those skills / talents into self-employment cannot be bad.  As I have mentioned in a prior posting, many small businesses evolve from individuals like you and me who are 'technicians' in a particular field.  Bookkeeping, accounting, computer programming, technical engineers, plumbers, etc etc.

Why not sit down (with all this time if you are unemployed) and think about these questions:  what skills do I have that others need?  and  Is there a market for them?

In an economy where companies are downsizing, businesses cannot afford to have full time staff in all the necessary areas, it's possible you could secure some work as a contract worker or as a self-employed individual.

Let me know your thoughts.