A failed attempt beats a non-attempt. Imperfection trumps inaction. Starting is always better than never trying at all. Starting a business is about taking the first step. If you have an idea for a business, learn or do something today that helps to make it a reality. Even if you don’t believe it will work, … Continue reading The Key to Starting a Business: Take the First Step
Tag: freelance
What business should you start?
Some people are just blessed with knowing exactly what type of business they should start. But I wasn't. Maybe you have no idea what you're doing and haven't the faintest idea where to start. That's where I was when I started my first business. What I did was this. I tried things. I had just … Continue reading What business should you start?
This is the smartest way to think when starting a business
To start a successful business, you don't need to be the smartest person in the room. You just need to be willing to put your ideas to the test. Starting a business isn't about getting good grades, pleasing a teacher, being perfect. Nah, it's about being willing to put yourself out there and try things … Continue reading This is the smartest way to think when starting a business
This is the number that every business needs
If you’re starting a business, you need to consider getting an Employer Identification Number or EIN. First, a disclaimer: I’m not a tax lawyer or accountant. Make sure to consult a tax professional. I’m just a business owner trying to help you start your business. Ok, let’s move on. In the US, a Tax Identification … Continue reading This is the number that every business needs
You need to know this to start a business
Most people starting a business have no idea what they are doing. You might be thinking, “I can’t start a business: I not an expert.” But when it comes to starting businesses, no one is. One of the most revered entrepreneurs is Steve Jobs. He’s amazing. He’s a genius. But when Jobs started, he was … Continue reading You need to know this to start a business
This is how you realize your dreams
One of the hardest things in starting a business is hearing “No.” But anyone can do that—anyone. You’ve heard “No” all of your life. Your parents, friends, neighbors, teachers have all denied you. So you know how it feels. The only thing holding you back is the fear of rejection. You’re avoiding that feeling. I … Continue reading This is how you realize your dreams
You can start a business by doing this
Money, power, talent, smarts don’t start businesses. People do. Most of them are normal. But they all did one thing first. They made a decision. They decided to start a business or at least try to. In their minds and hearts, something happened. They said to themselves they were going to take the first step … Continue reading You can start a business by doing this
This is how you succeed in the face of fear
In small business, fear never entirely goes away. Even after you succeed, it's still there. You can't eliminate it; the only thing you can do is manage it. Losing money, losing customers, getting too many customers, managing people, managing people poorly, taxes, growth, hiring, firing, failure, and the list can go on for the things … Continue reading This is how you succeed in the face of fear
Quitting can be the best thing you can do
We built a product and spent real money on it, but we couldn’t keep it going without killing our primary business. So we quit. It sucked; it hurt; it killed a part of me. But it was the right thing to do. Maybe you have a business or are starting things, and you also hate … Continue reading Quitting can be the best thing you can do
Six tips on how to have difficult conversations
Small business has big worries. And one of the biggest ones can be difficult conversations. They are the ones that you recognize you should have with that vendor, employee, contractor, partner, client, or manufacturer. But instead you've been avoiding it for the past few days, weeks, months, maybe years. You know what I'm talking about. … Continue reading Six tips on how to have difficult conversations
The best thing you can do when it gets tough in small business
Have you ever felt like quitting your small business? I have. Sure, the hard work, long hours, and constant uncertainty are trying. But the one thing that can be the hardest to bear is the space and time to think. The time in between exciting events is where the real battle lies. It happens within … Continue reading The best thing you can do when it gets tough in small business
A simple little secret to winning pitches with new clients
Pitching a potential new client is always nerve-wracking. It's do or die. And winning new business is key to growing. So it’s critical to get any edge you can. There are a lot of tricks, tactics, and strategies you can practice. But there is one simple thing that has helped us immensely. It is this: … Continue reading A simple little secret to winning pitches with new clients
The one thing that can revolutionize your business
You've built a small business you're proud of, but it feels unsustainable. You don't make enough money. It’s not that you don’t work hard. You do, crazy hard. But you’re still just scraping by. And you know that you must be doing something wrong, but what? And you ask yourself, "Is this the way it's … Continue reading The one thing that can revolutionize your business
