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Why “I want a mentor” is the wrong question to build your business

I overheard someone asking “Would you be my mentor?”  It’s such a tough question!! You are trying to grow your business and need help. But you know that your chances of getting “yes” are pretty slim.

So how do you do it well?

I participated in a small business mentoring roundtable this year.  Attendees asked one question and the mentors shared advice.  My job – along with the other mentors – was to give amazing on the spot coaching.

Which of course, lead to ongoing mentoring requests as soon as the event concluded.

But, I had the chance to see a few participants nail the request.  I wanted to share how they did it. It might give you some ideas to grow your business by getting expert advice  in your corner.
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Should I accept half of my regular rate if I really need the money?

How to decide if you should take client work when you are in a lean season

Need to decide to take a project earning much less than your usual rate? Here are some tools to make it work:
It’s a common problem when you freelance/consult. You have a group of good paying clients. Life is rosy. Invoices and cash are coming in. Bills and expenses are paid on-time.
 
Until you reach the famine period. Where the work dries up. And you are stuck trying to figure out how to make rent/lights next month.
 
So you start “rainmaking”. You call evvvvvverrrryone and their brother. You spend hours on social media and jumping into groups to get a new client.  You find one person willing to hire you. But they will only pay you half of your normal rate. Citing their own cash flow issues. You sense that you might need to spend a good deal of time working on the project. But at least it would be some cash in the bank.

What do you do?

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Black Panther – Why this movie could make you a BETTER entrepreneur

If you haven’t heard the buzz about Black Panther, you might be on a serious social media/news fast!  The movie is breaking all types of records and has generated a solid cult following.
 
As an small biz coach who wants to see more small businesses succeed by connecting the dots, I couldn’t resist.  There are some SOLID business principles embedded in this movie.
 
Like you needed an excuse to go back and see it again. LOL
 
So let me dive in.  I’ve got three tools from Black Panther can help you strengthen your entrepreneurial leadership prowess:
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The group you need to remember when you set business growth goals

Did you ever write this “I am DETERMINED to grow my business” list?

  • I’m gonna make 10k this month
  • I will land 5 new clients
  • I’m going to grow my social media by 1,000 new followers
  • I’m going finish my website relaunch

You might be missing out on a key variable when you set these growth goals.  You have to start first with:

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The 1 goal that really matters in the New Year

Focus on the life changing goals for your business rather than getting distracted by the out of the ordinary moments.I saw a car on fire during the AM commute.  I hoped that the driver was OK.
But I wasn’t OK with the reaction of other drivers.
–No one got out to help.
–No one helped him flag down help.
 
Instead they stopped, stared, and caused a massive pile up.
 
And it made me wonder. Why do people stare intently on events that don’t matter but are cautious about what they can control? 
 
Be clear.  I am not pointing fingers.  I have my own vices.  Talk to me while I surfing Pinterest for new recipes or natural hair care videos on Youtube. You might hear some choice words.
 
But, if we are going to be successful entrepreneurs, we need to have a way to refocus our attention.  Especially when something occurs that sidetracks our focus.
 
Interested? 
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3 game changing tips if you want to start your business next year

I heard some amazing start-up business ideas this year.  So, if you are ready to start your business next year, consider these tips as you prepare.

Because starting a business is like my favorite Facebook status – It’s complicated.

And rather than share the traditional checklist like:

  • Consider your legal structure
  • Order business cards and secure your domain name
  • Create an elevator pitch

I wanted to dive into the oft-neglected steps.  These are the things that can trip up entrepreneurs if you don’t plan for them.  I’ve heard all types of stories in my business plan classes this year. And I’ve taken notes when listening to successful entrepreneurs share their stories.

So take heed and start your business on a high note!  Read below:

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Black Friday: How to recover if didn’t get the results you wanted

First Time Black Friday blues

Did you offer a Black Friday promotion and get less than lackluster results?  Perhaps it was your first time and you are totally disappointed that no one purchased.  Or you have tried Black Friday sales before but are still not seeing the numbers you want.

Let’s take a deep dive.  After receiving way too many Black Friday/Shop Small Biz Saturday/Cyber Monday emails, I noticed a few trends.  Also I gained a few insights from my own promotions.

So let’s not suffer in silence.  Let’s review some possibilities about what might be going on behind the scenes.

Especially if you are a newbie or an early adopter to selling online.

So watch the video or read the three bullets below.  Because we need to lower your alcohol bills this weekend

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It’s so easy to avoid marketing when you have contracts flowing in

Tips for marketing when you are exhausted

I’ve delivered 10 speaking events in 17 days. Yup. I’m brain dead. Mentally and emotionally drained. Even if there is a sense of joy because audiences were transformed.

So, how do you market your business when you are tired?

  • When the stack of business cards is stacked high?
  • When your follow-up list is long?
  • When you are out of ideas that you can post on social media?
  • When there are a ton of articles that you need to read?

And the third cup of coffee ain’t kicking in….

It’s easy to neglect marketing when the contracts and clients are flowing. But, if you ignore it, you’ll look up in a few months and be back in the famine part of the “feast and famine” cash flow crunch.

So I’ll share a few tips that will keep you moving forward when you reach this zone. It’s quite a dangerous place. It’s easy to get comfortable cashing checks and transferring online funds. But if you don’t pay attention, you’ll be scrambling to find clients at “one time only discounted” rates.

So here is how you can get started when you are tired:

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3 tools to build your business when you are feeling overwhelmed

Take small steps rather than no steps

3 tools to build your business when you are feeling overwhelmed

I was watching one of my social media feeds recently.  Folks were expressing their sorrow  with the natural disasters in Puerto Rico.  And their frustration about the Virgin Islands and areas which didn’t get much coverage.

I felt their pain.

But I’m an entrepreneur.  We take action when we see problems.  So I got off social media.  Gathered some supplies.  Found a drop off center. And kept listening to the media for other ways I could help.

I’m not trying to brag here.  I share this story because I want you to be inspired to take action.

Rather than complaining about how things should be or feeling overwhelmed, take action.  Do something.  Take small steps that fit into your wallet and your calendar.

I’m not sure if my supplies will end up in the hands of those who need it the most.  Or if bigger problems will change.

But I know if I sit around and complain, nothing will get done.  So I’d rather take my chances and take action.  A small step towards a solution.

Need help figuring this out for your business?  Here are some simple ways to get started: