That's an interesting question, and one that I've been struggling with for a while now. I know what I want as a small biz owner -- I want people to buy my services. I want to have an increase in my bottom line, and I want help figuring out how to get it. Sound familiar? This blog is an interactive one guys: I really want your suggestions and ideas here, so please feel free to answer me.
I've been an entrepreneur since I was 11 years old. I started out selling crafts (potholders, macrome, knit sweaters, etc.) -- things my family made and then we sold. I babysat for a lot of families in the area and my first "teaching" gig was with the neighborhood kids in the summer where we had a play afternoon, a couple of days a week. I've never stopped teaching since.
My most recent teaching position is as the Executive Director of the Strategic Small Business Initiative -- an organization based in Richland, MI that creates programs for small businesses to help them grow and increase revenues through training programs, mastermind groups, relationship building, marketing, and support services. I've worked hard on putting programs together and people seem to like them a lot. But I wonder if what I'm offering is what you want? We have recently started a six month program on marketing and our first month has been looking at target markets and marketing plans. Before you can create a marketing plan, before you really can focus on your business, you need to know who it is you want to sell to and work with. The old saying "If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there" is true. To be truly successful, you have to have a plan. And to have a plan, you have to know who your customer is. The final aspect to that question is, okay, now, what does that customer want you to sell them?
As small business owners, do you feel like you're alone? Are you looking for knowledge to help you know how to deal with a particular situation, or a growth question? Would you like to have a board of directors to share your business challenges and successes with? What is it that you want, and need but can't do by yourself? These are the things that I want to provide to you, my members. So, please think about it, and get me your questions and comments. It will help us all -- I guarantee it.
One of the most important things that I have learned is that I can't do it alone. I need the advice, support, expertise and experience of others that are working through some of the same issues. That's why SSBI has been such a benefit for me...connecting and sharing helps us all grow faster than we ever could by ourselves. Thanks Nancy!
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