Fall is right around the corner

The hazy, lazy, crazy days of summer are almost over. If you're like me, the beginning of the business year is right around the corner. January 1 is a good time to set new goals but September 1st is the day that I know I have to get off my B-hind and get back into gear with my business. I hope you guys are the same. Vacations are over, kids are back to school, friends have gone home to their own work and family. It's time to put the swimsuits away and get out the calendars -- it's BACK TO WORK TIME!!!!!!

This is a time for excitement: I get reinvigorated, and my brain starts to churn -- what is just around the corner for me and for my business? The days ahead feel full of challenge and adventure. I'm looking forward to absorbing education, new ways to do the same old things. Who knows where my business will be 30 days from now? My goals seem that much more poignant, and my ambitions that much stronger. I really want to move forward with my ideas and my dreams.

Is it the same for you? How do you look at fall and business? Are you excited about the possibilities? Revved to take on new challenges and move your company forward? If not, you should be. It's time to get motivated and get back to work: you never know where you'll be in the future.

What's the difference between Small Biz and Entrepreneurs?

I just read an article in Entrepreneur Magazine that talked about a recent Tweet on Twitter where viewers were asked what the difference was between a small business owner and an entrepreneur. The answers were very interesting: the one I liked the best said that small biz owners were those who worked from 9 to 5 and then walked away from the business til the next day. An entrepreneur, on the other hand, was someone who focused on the business 24/7. They were passionate about growing their company and wanted support, guidance and education to help them with their passion.

I see these two types of businesses all the time. The one finds excuses not to do things outside the norm: "It's too early. I can't possible get up to go to a meeting that early". "I had a friend come over. Haven't seen her in so long. I can't possibly come to a meeting. I need to see my friend." "I've been in business for many years, I'm sure there's nothing new out there for me to learn."

The other type finds ways to get involved and anticipates good things will happen if they put in some effort. "It's always good to share experiences, and expertise. By being a part of this group, I can not only learn from others, but I can share what my experiences have been as well." "The more I give to others, the more I get back in the long-run."

Do you know business owners like these two? Which type do you think has the stronger business? Which are you? Think about it -- I know the type I want to be. Do you?

Passion for your work

Lately I've been thinking about the differences in small businesses around the country and the state and how there are different personalities for different businesses and business owners. It seems that there are a couple of different types of business -- those that are content to have a product or a service and "sell" that commodity, and those that are passionate about what they do and how to make that business grow. For this second group it's all about putting the time and energy into making this a BUSINESS, not just a way to make money.

I was doing some surfing and came across this website: http://www.passioninbusiness.co.uk.

The front page says exactly what I'm trying to state here --

"Passion in business is about you jumping out of bed in the morning enthusiastic about the day ahead. It’s about your team coming to work every day with ideas about how to make a difference. It’s also about your customers having a smile on their face when they think about your business and coming back for more." Now granted, it's summer and time to take things a bit more slowly, but all too often I see business people saying, oh yeah, I'll get around to that. Or, I know you have a good meeting planned, but I've got friends coming over. I want to hang out with them.

Sure, you need to take time for yourself; that's really important. But if you are passionate about your business, you find time to do things that will help your business grow. Time for friends later perhaps. Now's the time for business growth -- that is, if you really want your business to grow past the I just want to make some money stage.

Think about it, and ask yourself (I've got news for you -- the IRS asks this question, too): am I truly in this to be a business, or is this a hobby (a part-time income)?