Starting From Scratch

by Clesha on March 26, 2010

retro-kitchen-scene

You may remember me mentioning that I’m restructuring my business. I didn’t believe it would be this hard and take this much time to get that accomplished.

The reason for the turtle-like restart is that my business is changing focus. I’m shifting from making a gazillion aromatherapy products, to teaching what I know to you and making only a few really good aromatherapy products. In the past I would had this baby back up and going, while making products, designing packaging, creating formulations, and saving the world.  Not this time. This time God has me moving slower to my mark so that nothing is left out of His plan.

So far, I’ve realized that I can’t start 2 online schools at the same time, create content for 3 blogs, maintain an online shop, start an online  group for Christian women, handmade aromatherapy products and expect to keep my sanity. And, that’s just the short list.

In light of my new found revelation, I’ve decided to focus on one thing at a time. Yeah, I know. This is new to me too, but I gotta do it. Since I’m pretty much starting over, I thought sharing the process with you would be good in the event you ever decide to take the plunge into the wonderful world of Entrepreneurship.

First things first

This time around, I’m going to utilize some old and new (new because I knew about them, but never used them) resources. My goals to get me on track are:

  • Start, and complete, a business and marketing plan
  • Figure out how to use QuickBooks once and for all so I can do a better job of managing the business finances
  • Learn how to better manage my business.
  • Oh, and I also plan to put myself on payroll for the first time (major step!)
  • Change the status of my business from sole-proprietor to LLC.

I think this short list is pretty do-able, don’t you? These steps will give me a pretty good foundation to build from and get me moving with purpose. If I take them one at a time and build off the lessons learned in each, I should be able to set up organizational systems and be good to go.

SCORE

So, my first stop on this journey is the SCORE office. This is a free organization that’s been around forever (well, not ever, but a really long time). It’s an organization made up of retired business owners with a variety of different business skills waiting to help you succeed in your business…for free.

SCORE "Counselors to America’s Small Business" is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small business start, grow and succeed nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Philadelphia Development Partnership

SCORE is nationwide, but if you’re looking for something specific to the Philadelphia area, you should definitely contact Philadelphia Development Partnership. I have used this small business resource for years and they offer a wealth of great information, workshops, and a peer-to-peer lending program. Whether you’re thinking about starting a business, or already in one, this organization is one you want to keep at the top of your list.

 

Have you ever thought about starting a business? If yes, where did you begin? If no, what’s holding you back? Share it in the comments.

Tagged as: business, PDP Inc., SCORE, simply clesha, start-up

  • http://www.indiebusinessblog.com Donna Maria Coles Johnson

    Congratulations on your re-focusing, Clesha! You are a super creative person, and it must be all you can do to stop yourself from tossing up all these plates every time you turn around. Someone once told me, “Just because you can do it doesn't mean you should.” I took that to heart. It's still hard to stop creating new things, but I know that some things just need to be a hobby or spare time activities. To own a business that generates a profit and is positioned for the future requires unwavering focus (as Marsha said), financial discipline and endurance.

    In 10 years of business, I've learned to just say NO to good looking business opportunities so I can focus on the best business opportunities for me. I pass the other ideas and options on to others who may be more suited to carry them through to fruition.

    All you really need dis one product. One incredibly useful, functioning product that will enhance people's lives. This can be your core. Pour yourself into it with all you have. Once your core is solidified and profitable, you can expand into other things from there if you'd like. But the core has to be strong first.

    I wish you the best, and can't wait for “a few really good aromatherapy products!”

    • http://blog.simplyclesha.com/ Clesha

      Hi Donna Maria!

      So happy you stopped by. You're right about all the plates in the air. I said I wasn't going to do it, but I still tried to do 3 major projects at one time and thought it would all work out because they were “kinda” connected. I have since put down all the plates and started to really look at what i have to offer and what I should offer. It's a big turn around for me, but I know I have to do it or I'll be spinning my wheels again. Focusing on one signature product and having that as the core of my offerings will be a lot less stress for me.

      I'll have to post that quote on my wall as a reminder.

  • http://www.ielectrify.com/ Sherice

    I started my business when I was 16, but didn't have ANY concept of how to do it, and things didn't really take off until I was 18 or 19 (1999) and the rest of the world caught up with “the web”. My first purchase was the book “Small time operator” – and I still have it on my shelf. It helped me figure out tax stuff, how to structure my business, setting up invoices and getting paid. I also had a startup business mentor from my local SBA which was a huge help

    • http://blog.simplyclesha.com/ Clesha

      Hi Sherice,

      I've never heard of the book, but it sounds like it's worth checking out of the library. I did meet with the folks of SCORE and the meeting went well. I have to write that dreaded business plan, but I'll have a firm foundation to stand on.

  • http://websitemomentum.com/ joe

    There's a great resource for business planning at http://superwahm.com. Not for “funding” business plans, but more for “how am I going to get all this done?” business planning.

    • http://blog.simplyclesha.com/ Clesha

      Thanks Joe! This is a great new resource.

  • http://www.sixdegreesofvisibility.com/ vona

    Hi Clesha, you are so right. i think we(especially us women) have gotten ourselves into this multitasking malarkey. I've learnt that its nonsense. Multitasking means not doing anything very well. I've decided one thing at a time. well, im getting there anyway.

    • http://blog.simplyclesha.com/ Clesha

      It's easier said than done I know. I'm finding as time goes on multitasking puts a lot of balls in the air, but nothing gets really completed in a timely fashion. I'm learning too. :o D

  • http://twitter.com/MarshaStopa Marsha Stopa

    Ah, yes. the power of focus. Like you, I have a list a half-mile long and I'm finding I need to edit it down. There's just so MUCH to do when starting up a business. I'm trying to keep in mind my MVP, minimally viable product. What's the minimum I need to do to have a great membership site launched? Otherwise, I get lost in trying to make it perfect.

    I think your short list is doable, but still a lot of work. Almost every one of your tasks has a lot of work involved. Glad your working with SCORE to keep on track.

    Keep up the good work!

    • http://blog.simplyclesha.com/ Clesha

      Hi Marsha!

      I met with SCORE today and my “homework” list is unbelievable! LOL You're right, that list requires a LOT of work for each task. But, I'm going to make the commitment to work on it daily. It will eventually whittle itself down as I tackle each one at a time.

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