Big Tips for Small Business. How's Unemployment Treating YOU?

Big Tips for Small Business’s …

"So, how is unemployment treating you?

That was the question posed to me the other day. It actually made me stop and take a knee; what was the difference between Unemployed versus Self Employment anyways?

After some thoughtful and quiet deliberation I came to this conclusion... Three words forming quite clearly in my mind...

Passion, Hard work, and Determination.

But to the quick witted friend my only response was, "Ask Paul (my husband), the house has never been cleaner!"

I write these words with only one intent and that is to share my experience, this blog, and social media platform with others who share the same drive to start a small business from dust, also coined as 'from the ground up'.

Before I start there are two things you should know about me that I will not apologize for:

One- I have horrible grammar. There I admit it! To all of those on Facebook who correct me.

Two- This is a journal, a guide, a shared experience that is not meant to be anything but helpful to myself, and if possible, others on the same journey.

The differences between Unemployment and Self Employed can draw a very fine, thin, and fragile line through your savings account, but more importantly your time.

Every action must probe the question, "Does this action result in generating potential income for my business?"

And secondly, "Is this the most efficient use of my time?"

Here is my best assessment of what a balanced, streamlined, and motivated, 'Checklist to Success' for a start-up/ small business should look like.

Top 10 on the 'Check List to Success':

10. Know you product inside and out. Research every aspect of it. Know your competitors and market place. Keep an Idea's book, every new idea is a potential great idea at some point down the track. Ask peers, friends, and family for suggestions to help inspire you. Read up on small business, know the risks and rewards, but mainly know how they relate to you BEFORE you embark as a sole trader.

9. Loose the EGO! Any tid bit of advice is ok in my books. Ask your peers as many questions as possible. It is easy to think we know everything, but the more we embrace what we do not know, the more we learn. (That was very Deepak Chopra, I know)

8. Contacts. Make them. Network like no bodies business. Keep every card you receive. Lord help me I terrible with names, great with faces...but do your best with it! Remember, seven degrees of separation? Well, try 3 or 4. The world is a lot smaller now with internet & social media, so although Bob might not be the guy to help, his friend Joe just so happens to blah, blah, blah. Got it?

7. Time Management. Take time to plan. Have a loose schedule or guideline of how you will approach every day. It's OK to take lunch. It's OK to go for a coffee. It is not OK to go see a movie in the middle of the work day. Divide your time accordingly. Things like marketing are extremely important, but can easily become time consumers when it comes to social media. And most importantly, BE ON TIME. I struggle with this. But it boils down to respect. Respecting others peoples time and your own. Make an appointment and keep it.

6. Results. Measure them. Start an excel sheet to visually see results. Know what products are best sellers and what are not. Monetary units is only one way to measure success, look at reviews, comments, shares, and think about general feedback. Are you improving as a business? Are you making changes to be better? Develop time specific 'smart' goals if you will. Specific, Manageable, Attainable, Realistic, Time.

5. Back of House. Get it in Order. Set Up and be ready to roll- Email/ Domain Name, Website, Accounting Software, Business Bank accounts, Business Visa, Rainy day savings/credit, Marketing & Graphic Designer, Business Coach, consultant, or mentor, and any other form structure your business may need to support its sales and growth. Start or create a system for yourself. Create a filing cabinet to hold receipts, invoices, quotes, etc… Start while your small, even before your business meets any of the criteria required to declare yourself a small business (for tax purposes). Good habits now will make it easier for you in the future.

4. Preparation. Make Checklists. Check em' twice.  Stock and Inventory lists. As a sole trader of a small business there is a good chance you are the only employee, there is no one else to rely on. You won't remember everything, all of the time so keep a running tally to organize yourself. Pretend for a moment you were sick and needed someone to cover your shift, would you be organized enough to have someone come in and work for you? More importantly, as soon as you get off of a phone call related to your work- write down the details discussed, such as times, dates, figures.

3. Determination. Do not be deterred by 'a hard day’s work'. If you did your research in step 10, then we know that when it comes to any scales of economy, one must expect one hell of a roller coaster ride. Do not get discouraged by a bad day or week, they will pass. This is a good time to reevaluate logistics as such, but do not lose the plot. Keep your head down, keep working hard, then hold your head high, and continue looking for new business opportunities. Work lie you have something to prove, because you do…

2. Hard work. As in a 12 hour day. Get used to it. For now, Step 2 is just hard work. The reward for me is not a monetary one (although that doesn't hurt), but rather every time I get to see my product being enjoyed by a friendly face. I don't believe entrepreneurs are motivated by cash, it’s something much deeper. And at the beginning, it almost feels like gambling- hard work for a pay check. Aces Up.

1. Passion. Remember why you do this? Because you love it. Surround yourself with positive people who believe in you. Self-managed means 100% creative control for each and every aspect, detail, and piece of your product. You are the face of your product in most circumstances, and people will relate to your excitement and want to be part of it. Positive energy is a must so stay active if you have a big day at the desk. Keep your mind active by getting the heart rate up. This activity will translate into that zest, spark, and desire you need to stay ‘in the zone’.

“For the Love of Pierogi” Blog Spot
welcomes all your feedback.

Helpful recommendations this week

ANZ business seminar for small business. Awesome networking and learning experience. Free Advice!
https://bizhub.anz.co.nz/workshops/christchurch/2014/07/29/flying-start-business-plan-workshop-0900.aspx

·         Sarah Milne at the ANZ National Bank, Fitzgerald location for Business Banking was so helpful and knowledgeable.

Silverchef is a great company designed purely for the hospitality industry. This company allows you to rent or buy equipment for a designated period of time, and therefore as your needs change, so does your equipment. Why get stuck with outdated equipment?

·         https://www.silverchef.com.au/
Ray-Charles Smading
E: rsmading@silverchef.co.nz (I've listed my contact as he was extremely helpful).

Maxprint-signs & wide format printing
A family owned and operated company. Lovely people and again, extremely helpful with all of my printing needs.

·         www.maxeprint.co.nz

·         E: grame@maxeprint.co.nz

Written by Kate Grater

Owner of The Pierogi Joint
Contact me at:
kate@thepierogijoint.com