Category Archives: When You are Starting out

Not sure what to do to get your business started? Start with these posts first

The Freelance Isn’t Free Act: 3 tips to leverage this NYC opportunity

I’m still in shock.  The New York City Council recently passed the nation’s first bill that protects freelancers who are not paid on time. Yesssss!!  This is a game changer. The bill will protect New York City based freelancers who are not paid by their clients.  Highlights include: Freelancers can require payment within 30 days If […]

Do you really need a business phone if you are 1 person service business?

Short answer:  You look professional and it’s a tax write off.  But you might want to dig deeper. How does this decision affect your business model, your brand, and your leadership style? I know you are probably thinking: “Malla, I’m just getting a phone.  It’s not that deep”. Yeaahhhhh.  It is.  Adding an additional expense […]

Why service professionals struggle when they start a business

Over the years, I’ve encountered many people who want to start a service business.  Rather than working any longer for “The Man”, they opt to hang up their own shingle.  No more office politics.  No unfair promotions.  Just the projects that they are enjoy.  And checks that they don’t have to share!  Yessssssssssss!!! Most working professionals […]

Why it’s so freaking hard to find your future customers

  But why is it so FREAKING hard to find these people on a regular basis???? You get all dressed up for a networking event.  Pass out a ton of business cards.  Schedule follow up via phone and email.  Spend hours on social media posting, liking, and following.  (Well, maybe it was only 20 min.  ‘Fess […]

If you build it, they WON’T come

I waited patiently.  I knew the question would come up.  It always does when I talk to someone who recently got the entrepreneurial “spark”.  You know that moment when you realize that your passion is something you can get paid for. So I can just put up a website and people will buy my service?  […]

How to get over your fear of writing your business plan

  Are you having panic attacks thinking about writing your business plan? Hearing the voices of former  teachers telling you how bad your writing is? Freezing up when you try to plan out what goals to focus on? Or just B.O.R.E.D. out of your mind staring at the blank page? Good! Then you’ll be all […]

How to spark interest when asked “What do you do?”

Do you wish you had a better way to answer the question: : “So what does your business do?” You might be attending a networking event.  Or a family dinner with distant cousins and relatives.  Or a power house conference where you are meeting dozens of people over a few days. How do you stand out? How do […]

3 Tips to Grow Your Biz

Want tips on how you can earn more money in your micro-business while doing what you love?  Then you’ll enjoy this podcast interview.  I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Bonnie Brown, Founder of The Dog Trainers Connection.  She asked a very powerful question for dog trainers who love what they do but want help […]

Before you worry about incorporating, do this

Prove that you have a business.  Earn your first check.  Gain your first three sales.  And be stuck with a check you can’t cash because you ain’t got a legal structure. It might seem counterintuitive to much of the advice that you read about start-ups.  But hear me out on why I’m suggesting you start with […]

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