Confessions
Getting what you pay for:
My business partner and I were looking for hula dancers for a summer luau. Well, in spite of providing the owner with pictures of entertainment we were requesting, the dancers that showed up to perform could have been our grandmothers. The first red flag was the price was cheaper than ALL the other entertainers. Second, the conversation about the age and look of the hula dancers was very vague. Lastly, they were the only entertainers available on the day we requested, when everyone else was booked. In the end, we regretfully asked them not to perform but did tell them they could keep the deposit for their travels. Cheaper is not always the best choice! ~ Leia Avery
The 3 P's
My Business Blunder was a misguided thought that probably was created out of the fear of failure. I initially thought that I needed tons of money to start a business. Believe it or not I was more than wrong. What's truly needed is something I call the 3P's; passion, perseverance and patience. Although, I'm an independent entity, I run my business as if I were Oprah or Bill Gates!! ~ Janae Wesby
The E Myth is about producing results, not simply “how to do it.” Books like that don’t work. People do. And what makes people work is an idea worth working for, and a clear understanding of what needs to be done. Only when such an idea becomes firmly integrated into the way you think and operate your business that “how to do it” becomes meaningful. The idea the book is based upon is that your business is simply a distinct reflection of who you are. If your thinking is sloppy or disorganized, your business will be sloppy or disorganized, etc. So if your business is to change, you must change first. -Micheal E. Gerber
January Selection
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The Passion Behind Your Brand
Many people confuse passion with enjoying a hobby and think this is their path to starting a business. Just because you enjoy rock climbing, does not mean you should make that your career. The passion that an entrepreneur must possess underlies the true meaning of a sustainable business and how you can captivate your target market. As an entrepreneur, you must be knowledgable of all aspects of your brand from conception to the sale, and the behaviors of consumers that purchase your product or service. As consumers become more adamate about getting more for less, you must determine the means to elevate your brand without losing the quality. To sum it up, don't mistake your hobby for your passion because in the end, it could cost you time, money and a lifetime of grief. On the other hand, if you go to sleep thinging about your business and you wake up thinking about your business, start by researching the current market for your product or service. Discover the top competitors in your field by highlighting their success and failures, attend networking events, draft a business plan, build your circle of success by connecting with other entrepreneurs, and never give up! ~ Melinda Herron
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