Starting a business can be both scary and exciting! At a young age, I knew that I wanted to have my own business and a lot of my childhood was spent planning how that was going to happen.
Many people tried to talk me out of owning a business because they wanted a stable environment for me – but in my mind what’s more stable than something you control?
After my first successful business adventure my desire to learn more about running a successful business grew. I went to college and poured myself into learning all I could about business management. It was there that the professors pounded into my head all the topics that should be known about running your own business.
Today, I will share with you 3 of the key factors that every business owner should have:
- Business Plan
- Website (marketing)
- Business Coach
Business Plan
One thing which has always amazed me is how many businesses don’t have a business plan! One of my favorite sayings is: “You can’t build a house, without a foundation™” – so why would you try to build a business without a foundation… without a plan?!
When I was opening Desert Heritage Real Estate as my own brokerage, the first thought I had was “I need a business plan!” I wanted to create a real estate brokerage that focused on helping agents succeed in their own business of real estate and I needed a plan of how I could do that.
The purpose of a business plan remains the same… “The Business Plan format is an organized assessment of all the factors critical to your business purpose and goals.”
Your business plan is going to be useful in a number of ways:
- First and foremost, it will define and focus your objective using appropriate information and analysis.
- You can use it as a selling tool in dealing with important relationships including your lenders, investors and banks.
- Your business plan can uncover omissions and/or weaknesses in your planning process.
- You can use the plan to solicit advice from people, including those in your intended field of business.
Website
In the U.S. alone, 90% of the population are internet users. This number seems to increase with each passing year.
In our Tech Savvy world it is vital to have a searchable, informative lead generating website! In Real Estate, it seems that all websites look alike. I wanted something that was useful to Buyers, Sellers, Investors and Agents.
So, after some failed attempts with other website designers I found Liquis Design! I learned abundance about SEO, linking, blogging, and colors that inspire the reader. The designers at Liquis really go above and beyond to create a one of a kind website for each of their clients. I feel that the Desert Heritage Real Estate site is the BEST in the valley (although I know I am bias).
Simply put, if you have a business, you need a GOOD website. Period!
Business Coach/Mentor
I have always been one that didn’t want to depend on anyone else. But I have learned over the years that having someone guide you, inspire you and help you reach different levels of success is a need when it comes to building a strong business!
Unlike a business consultant who does the work for you, a business coach will teach you a variety of different skills which will increase profit!
Each coach is going to be a little bit different but here are a few items that are usually covered in the sessions;
- Review your current business plan or help you create one
- Help you create or improve your Website
- Plan out Sales, Advertising & Marketing
- Hold you accountable
- Motivate you
- Show you how to create opportunities in your line of business
By defining these areas you could literally double your revenue in a matter of months.
In Closing
There is a lot to consider when running your own company. People often say that most “businesses fail within the first two years of being open”… but let’s look at why?
Well, they probably didn’t have a business plan – goals and planning written out.
They probably didn’t have the marketing in progress which would include a great website.
They probably didn’t have a Business Coach – to help motivate and inspire them.
Most self-made millionaires possess average intelligence. What sets them apart is their openness to new knowledge and their willingness to learn whatever it takes to succeed.
Create your plans and go after your dreams!! Always remember:
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
