Just starting out?

This is a great article from DollarDays.com.  If you are just getting started, be sure to check it out!

All business owners want their business processes to be completed as smoothly as possible, this is especially true for small businesses that are just starting to operate. If you are a business owner looking for ways to help your business obtain a smooth start then keep on reading.

Save Some Money, and then Save Some More

While SBA loans are an advantageous financial tool to lean on when starting a business, saving one’s money should always be the first thing listed on one’s business-starting checklist. There are too many people that believe they can take out a business loan and start repaying it immediately with the profits their business brings in; however, for most businesses it takes several months (sometimes even a couple of years) before profits are gained. So, for the first several of months a business is in operation a business owner should remember that loan repayments will probably have to come from their own personal savings.
All business plans should include a way for the business owner to make the first year’s loan repayments, while at the same time keeping in mind that personal living expenses will have to paid too. Most small business owners find it very helpful to first save up enough money to pay loan repayments for a year and also have enough money saved to pay their living expenses for a year; this helps them to keep their financial stress levels down, enabling them to focus on expanding their business, which helps them to begin enduring profits as soon as possible.

Think Realistically

It is always important for small business owners to remember to think small when first opening their business. While renting a huge workplace and hiring on a number of full time employees may seem very adventurous, it is not realistic for most small businesses when they are first beginning. Employees should never be hired on until they are absolutely necessary. In fact, there are a large number of temps that can be hired on until full time work becomes available.
Most small business owners that start out small endure less harmful consequences when they make mistakes, and any early screw-ups they make most times do not lead to harmful debt issues.

Understand Your Legal Business Entities

Many small business owners have learned the hard way that any business debts they incur become personal debts if they are not protected in the proper manners. A large number of small business owners find it financially wise to open their business as a corporation or LLC; this helps them avoid becoming personally liable for any debts that are incurred during their business operations.

Watch Who You Hire

There are a large number of job seekers in today’s society that are perfect candidates for small business operations. Instead of hiring average, competent employees, small business owners should hire employees that have special training in the job duties they will be performing.

Great Article! Being Organized Equals Small Business Success

You started your own business because you have a burning passion for what you do. You are also - we hope -- good what you do and have a desire to help others. Little do you know that running a business includes, well...running a business. This little bombshell can throw many a new business owner for a loop.

I receive numerous phone calls every week asking me how to start a business as a professional organizer. The first thing I say is that the organizing part is easy because it is a natural gift (sometimes a curse); it's running the business that can trap you. This is not to scare a potential entrepreneur away, but to help them realize that it's not all fun
and games doing what you do best.

You have to:

Find an accountant
Buy insurance
Get legal advice on how to set up your business
File for the company name with the state
Find working capital if necessary
File all the proper tax forms
Open up a checking account
Get office supplies
Market the business
Build a network
And the list goes on and on...

In the initial start-up stage, entrepreneurs are often so excited about starting a new business that they pay little or no attention to what is happening with all the paperwork and electronic data you are generating. That is typical and expected. However, around the six to twelve month mark, entrepreneurs start calling people like me - a professional organizer - begging for help in setting up a system to help them be organized. I envision a hand protruding from mounds of papers reaching for help.

The sad news is that many small businesses have never taken the time to set up systems once they've built up paper and electronic backlogs. They just keep generating documents without stopping to assess what is being created.

I firmly believe that the healthiest small business is the one that visits and reviews their organizational systems every six to twelve months. The small business that keeps doing the "same old, same old" is losing money. So where do you stand?

Something that has really hit home in the past year or so is that you don't GET organized and have long lasting success. You have to BE organized. Getting organized is a quick fix of cleaning up and putting things away - usually a Band-aid (r) approach - that doesn't last for more than a few days.

Being organized is recognizing that organization is an ongoing journey. Life doesn't stop happening the minute you GET organized. You have to have systems in place that will help the daily flow; a lack of systems will cause clogs. These clogs come in many forms:

Piles of papers
Lost documents
Misplaced items - glasses, phone, pens, keys
Running late
Stress and frustration...

You get the picture.

When it becomes clear to you that you are running through your day feeling like you've accomplished nothing, you may need to reassess your organizational skills and systems.

Your small business must overcome many hurdles to be successful. Fortunately, being organized is one hurdle that you can learn to overcome. Or you can work with a professional organizer to set up customized systems that make you functional, productive, and more pleasant to be around.

I challenge you take a deep look at the state of your small business' organization. If you see your passion being overrun by disorganization, it's time to take some action.

Here's to simplifying your life!

Author BioPatty Kreamer, owner of Kreamer Connect, Inc., is a professional organizer, speaker, and author of the Making Life Simple... Again! e-course available at http://www.ByeByeClutter.com/MLSAHome.htm. If your business or organization is looking for a fun, dynamic, and effective speaker, you can email Patty at patty@ByeByeClutter.com or call her at 412-344-3252.

You're invited!

If you are in the northern Utah area, be sure to stop by for this event!  I'll be sharing some free small business tips to help you get more clients, more money, and more free time!! 


Register here:
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1381364699

Another great quote from one of my favorite authors...

Systems run the business and people run the systems. – Michael Gerber

Where will you be on Wednesday??

Love this quote...

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." - Einstein

Upcoming Event

FREE SMALL BUSINESS TRAINING

Join us for a free 90 minute training featuring “The 5 Small Business Essentials”. The seminar will be taught by small business expert, Shauna Crandall.

This info-packed training is essential for any type of small business owner looking to gain more clients, increase their business revenue, and find more free time.       

Shauna Crandall is a sought after speaker and small business coach. Along with her other passion (dance), she studied Business Marketing at Utah Valley University. Subsequently, she owned and operated her own successful small business for nearly a decade. She has trained under some of the nation’s best business coaches, including Michael Gerber, Jack Canfield, Steve Chandler, and Sam Beckford.

Shauna is the creator of the Synergy Business Coaching System, which allows her to assist many other small business owners as they set and achieve goals for their business… and their life.

Shauna’s mission is to help small business owners see the entrepreneur in themselves as they learn to put smart strategies into action.

Shauna lives in Centerville, UT with her husband Mark, and their four children.

REGISTER HERE: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1381364699

Thursday,March 24^th

7:00 to 8:30 PM

The Thatcher-Young Mansion

35 W 100 South, Logan, Utah

For details contact:

Synergy Business Coaching

801-577-8657

info@myutahsmallbusinesscoach.com

More clients.

More income.

More Free Time.

FREE TRAINING!

Hey Everyone!

I'll be speaking at this FREE Small Business Training on March 24th in Logan, UT.  Be sure to check it out!

REGISTER BY CLICKING HERE