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.
