tylie eaves

Do you dream of being your own boss and of waking up in the morning and knowing that you do not have to answer to anyone but yourself? This is the dream of many Americans before you, those who paved the way for modern entrepreneurs with hard work and a strong sense of motivation. Starting a business is a great, achievable goal, but it is important to consider the practical aspects of this decision before you take a great leap.

Every successful business is built on the foundation of a solid, workable, practical business plan. Starting a business without a plan is like opening a restaurant with no menu—if you don’t know where you are going and what you are working toward, your potential customers will pick up on that confusion as well. From the first day of your journey, know where you want to end up. Over time, as goals are reached and needs change, adjust your plan accordingly, but always, always, always have a roadmap to follow.

Additionally, it is necessary to follow through with important legal steps. Determining your legal structure is as important as your business plan. Will your business be a sole proprietorship or will you incorporate your business? Do you have a legally documented plan for dealing with liability issues and employment matters? Do you have the required licenses and permits for operation? These questions and more should be answered with the help of a lawyer who can help you navigate the necessary legal processes involved with starting and running a business.

If you have a dream, it’s time to get it out in the open and give it life. At Vertu Marketing, we help people with hopes and dreams translate these goals into reality. Don’t wait any longer to step out in faith—contact our team; we are excited to help you.

We live in a world where one opinion posted on social media by just one unhappy customer can inflict serious damage to the reputation of a company. If you are a small business owner, it’s critical to handle these delicate situations carefully, but it is just as important to instill a culture of excellent customer service in order to avoid such situations as much as possible.

Fortunately, excellent customer service isn’t difficult, it simply requires commitment, well trained staff and a customer-first mentality. If you need to revamp your customer service strategy, it is of primary importance to have the right people to interact with your clientele.  Choose the right people, keep the circle small and train them to handle a range of situations appropriately. Customer service doesn’t necessarily mean that you must bow to the whim of every customer, but it does require a “soft touch” and the ability keep control of emotions at all times.

Customers may not be right 100 percent of the time, but they can be a valuable source of information, opinions and suggestions for improvement. Don’t be afraid to listen to what your customers are saying. Even if you think that you are right, client feedback could point you in a more profitable and beneficial direction that you haven’t considered before.

Entrepreneurs are in the people business, no matter what services and products they provide. Treat people well, and they will do the same for you in return by patronizing your business and recommending you to their friends. Customer service doesn’t have to be complicated—put people first by prioritizing a culture of service and assistance at your business and with your employees.

Owning a small business is like a juggling act. You may have several balls in the air at one time, but if you lose your focus, just for a second, it can disrupt or entirely halt your “act”. Between friends, family and your business, it is important to note how to make all of these function simultaneously. All of these areas of life are important, and a good schedule and commitment to balance are key.

If you feel that your juggling act could careen out of control at any moment, consider some of the following suggestions to implement better balance in all areas of life:

1. Schedule, schedule, schedule. Need to make three important calls today? Schedule them. Need to call mom to make plans for vacation? Pencil in 20 minutes during your lunch hour to eat and chat. Busyness should never override the most important relationships in your life, and having an airtight schedule can help you do this.
2. Focus on one thing at a time. Most people cannot truly, effectively multitask. You may find that your productivity increases dramatically when you are only focused on one task at a time. In turn, this opens other “blank space” in your calendar that can be filled with time with loved ones.
3. Practice self-care. You are worth caring for, even in the busiest of seasons. Schedule time, however brief it may be, to do something that helps you reset and refresh. Even a 20 minute walk during lunch can have vast benefits for your mental and emotional well-being. Find what works for you and put it into practice.
4. Forgive yourself. You are not perfect, and chances are, at some point, you will drop a ball, miss a meeting or forget something important. When this happens, be gracious with yourself and move on.

Time is valuable and family and loved ones are priceless. Your business goals should never be accomplished at the expense of the relationships that truly make life worthwhile. Be consistent, forgive yourself where you fall short and set realistic expectations—you may be in a season where life is one continual juggling act, but you have the ability to do it well.

Mentors can be beneficial for everyone, no matter where they are in life. While mentors are often used as a sounding board and source of information for personal growth and development, many entrepreneurs are finding that they can also benefit from a business mentor. In fact, many business experts would say that having a business mentor is critical, especially in the early days of operations.

Besides having experience with business matters, a mentor should be older, wiser and more experienced than the person seeking his or her help. Mentors act as a sort of sounding board, like a counselor or guide. From marketing decisions to difficult personnel situations, having an ally with whom you can fully discuss these matters is beneficial in that he or she can provide you a wise, outside perspective on whatever business-related matters arise. Mentors are supposed to have more experience that you have, which allows you to gain wisdom from what they have been through, both the good and the bad.

You never know when one conversation, one piece of advice or one suggestion could change the course of your business and, ultimately, your life. All small business owners should have mentors, someone who is not their mother and someone who will add value to their experience as entrepreneurs. Make sure that the input you are receiving is from a knowledgeable and trusted source, and if you are not receiving any input or guidance from a mentor, maybe you should be.

Life is full of unpleasant and difficult decisions, especially when these decisions will affect other people in a real and tangible way. For you, making a decision may mean firing an employee or other such unpleasant task that is not only unpopular, but is also very difficult to actually execute. When faced with such a task, it is tempting to get it over with as fast as possible, but in many situations, “ripping the Band-Aid off” is not the ideal approach. When doing something difficult or unpopular, it is important to do it the right way.

Here are a few tips that may make doing a difficult thing or making a tough decision a little easier:

1. Be honest. Above all else tell the truth. People will respect you more if they can trust what comes out of your mouth. Don’t give false hope where there is none and always speak truthfully, but with tact, when asked your opinion. Truth–it’s the best way to navigate a tough situation.
2. Be fair. If this decision will cause another person pain or inconvenience, respect the fact that their feelings toward you may be less than pleasant. Being fair also requires you to honestly evaluate all possible options and provide the least-painful solution. Treat others fairly and equitably, especially when you hold a position of power. Pay people their dues when they have been honestly earned.
3. Be smart. Often times, there are multiple solutions to a single problem. Life is rarely black and white, and, sometimes, additional consideration may reveal that an alternative is beneficial and practical. It’s okay to ask for counsel from a trusted source–an outside perspective may just save you from unnecessary hurt and complications.
4. Be ready. There are a few decisions that are simply unpopular, even if critically necessary. Be ready to deal with the aftermath gracefully and patiently, all while holding your ground. Being kind and compassionate does not mean that you have to compromise. Be strong, be firm, but be gracious.

If you own a business or manage a company, chances are at some point you will have to make a decision that is less than popular. Doing the right thing may require walking some difficult terrain, but, unfortunately, this sometimes comes with the territory of entrepreneurship. If you prepare yourself for this eventuality, you will be ready to walk through these times with confidence. Having confidence, thick skin and kindness represents the formula for handling difficult tasks in the right way.

Do you ever feel like you are behind, struggling to catch up, and not as successful as your contemporaries? It’s easy to fall into the comparison trap, especially when you weigh your success against that of others. For entrepreneurs riding the small business train, it’s tempting to glance at the competition and wonder why they are doing it better, faster or more profitably.

In many cases, comparison is a poor lens through which to view reality. Our views of ourselves and others is often grossly distorted when we begin to compare positives and negatives. If you can truly only control yourself, what is the point of wasting time and energy worrying about others? Comparison is not only a thief of joy, it is a thief of time, energy and other valuable resources.

Instead of comparing your journey to that of those around you, focus on what you have already accomplished. You have already had successes, made positive impacts and improved yourself by choosing the path of entrepreneurship. Give yourself credit for what you have already done, keep your chin up and focus on the future. Set yourself free from the comparison trap—you are doing just fine.

Successfully running a small business is no easy task. There are hundreds, even thousands, of career fields that are easier than entrepreneurship. When people choose to step into this line of work, it is typically motivated by a desire to change the world, work on their own terms or bring a specific product to a market with a particular need. Essentially, passion is what drives entrepreneurs to work long hours, network endlessly and keep pushing for “yes” after dozens of people have said “no”. If you want to work for yourself or are mulling a move into the small business world, you must ask yourself, “What is my passion?”

If you are only motivated by profit, it could signal a long and hard road ahead. While income is important, money alone will not sustain your motivation when the road gets tough. Choose a venture rooted in an area that excites you, ignites your curiosity and propels you toward success. If you are passionate about fashion, don’t open a restaurant simply because you believe it will be more profitable.

A person’s passion is often connected with that individual’s strengths and abilities. Lean into your talents and dig deep to discover what it is that you feel strongly about. Build a business around your passion. Don’t start a business and hope that you are still excited about it in a year from now.

Passion should be the foundation of any successful business, the cornerstone of a well-executed business plan and the drive behind every sales call or calculated risk. What gets YOU excited? Answering that question could be the first step toward your future success.

You may have the most needed or innovative product on the market, but if people aren’t interested, you simply won’t turn a profit. Drumming up interest can seem more difficult than raising capital, but if you know the buttons to push to peak the public’s interest, your traffic and sales will increase.

Location is a key component to interest. Just as the location of an actual bricks-and-mortar storefront should be carefully considered, a business’s online presence is crucial to increasing interest. From social media to in-store events, make the effort to connect and correspond with people to whom you would like to market your product. Make your presence known by hosting events, networking, engaging people on Facebook and more.

Ultimately, people choose to do business with individuals who are open and honest. If you are personal, authentic and genuinely concerned about customers’ problems, you will earn more than their business—you will earn their trust. Building interest in what your company or business has to offer is not as complex as it may seem to be. If you are honestly engaging with your potential clients and existing customers, it will shine through, and like moths to a flame, that light will attract interests from others.

The laws of attraction for business are not complex: be where people can see you and be authentic and engaging. If you fear that a lack of interest could have a detrimental impact on your bottom line or you are unsure of where to begin, start by seeking the help of a knowledgeable, experienced marketing professional. We have the tools you need to ignite interest in your products and services—let us help you attract the attention that your business deserves.