6 Things You Should Do In Your Business That I Didn’t and Should Have

Guest Post :: It’s taken me a long time, it seems, but I’ve finally realized that I’m worth it I gain  business lessons. And, it wasn’t Loreal Hair Color that got me to that point. It was putting myself out there. Taking risks, screwing up, getting taken advantage of, and finding out that not all people are good. I’m worth every little bit that I charge and I don’t need to compromise myself or my offerings. Whew, that feels good to say and at the same time, it may sound completely stuck up. I’m not saying I’ve figured out how to make everything work in my business nor do I know the secret to becoming a millionaire. However, I’ve learned some pretty harsh business lessons , most of them in the last 6 months, that will make any new business owner change her routines.

• Stand your Ground. In other words, don’t get greedy for that client that you’re certain is going to make you a millionaire. They probably won’t so know that going in and vet them like you would anyone else. There are many more clients after this so concentrate on this one as if it’s the first of many to come. Your service and actions in this experience will pay off with your next interaction.

• Interview First. Ask poignant, analytical questions of your potential client that answer this question: Are there any warning signs indicating that I should walk away? Listen for the answers, those are business lessons period. You can ask great questions, but if you’re not open to hearing the answers, the questions mean nothing.
• Don’t push them. Make your personal offering as best as possible and move on. I’m not saying you shouldn’t follow up. I’m saying, don’t reduce your regular, typical spiel to something that says you are begging. Also, it always helps to have another potential client waiting in the wings. Have something else to do and focus on — keep moving, keep offering!
• Signed Contract, Signed Contract, Signed Contract. I’m sure you are thinking, “Duh,” but this should apply even if your printer isn’t working or if you are doing business with a friend… especially if it’s a friend.
• Get a Board of Advisors. I was told to do this in grad school and I think it is critical. Find 3-4 business owners that you know and trust and who can speak to specific areas of your business. These will be the people you go to for advice, business lessons when you need a lifeline. It gives you buy-in from trusted, smart people, and it takes the pressure off your friends to come up with answers for you. Consider them your business therapists and business lessons’s giver.
• Reflect and Celebrate. These are two things that are hard to remember to do when you are so busy moving forward. Yet, finding time to think about what you’ve done both right and wrong(business lessons) will help you move forward more effectively. And the celebrating, well, that’s just the big pat-on-the-back that you must remember to give yourself! Who else is going to do it?

When Valerie Medina is not reminiscing abut life growing up in the 80’s, she’s writing for her new blog, Who Moved My Ottoman?: Musings on Change and Furniture, or painting her latest vintage piece. She’s the owner of Valerie Jo Interiors, a design business that focuses on bringing your old furniture into the limelight. In addition to her artistic pursuits, Val can also be found teaching and playing tennis in Chicagoland.