Okay, so it’s evident – I miss my blogging community. Like for real, for reals…..I ain’t gonna lie about it. Do I have new content? Well, not really…lol…you would think me being gone for this little period of time that I would have at least a journal full of topics but if I can be very transparent – I DON’T! ( I know, shame on me =()
I’ve been busy for sure, working on my business baby and trying to show it as much LOVEEEE as possible and in between doing that, holding down the singles ministry, coming up with content for my new business page (more on that in a jiffy) all while holding down a 9 to 5 (and did I mention parenting?, Yeah that too!), so it’s been a little challenging trying to come up with appropriate, well I hate to say that because it sounds like I post inappropriate content on just about anything – however, you would think I’d have some new content to come back and WOW you with, but nothings been coming to me.
Anywho, maybe by the time I grace the blogging stage again, I’ll have a little somethin-somethin for ya. Speaking of busy and business – I have a new facebook business page (still working on the website) for my new business Roshonda B Creative! For those of you that may be new, I took a little break from blogging to try and build up my brand (that still sounds funny to say) but it’s a writing and creative design company in where I create flyers, social media handles, writing content, simple websites, logo’s and I even do book reviews, I do a little ghostwriting as well for businesses and so much more.
I just felt the urge of God pushing me into this venture, I mean don’t get me wrong, I’ve actually been doing this for about 15+ years as a hobby. This is just the first time in history that I’m actually going full blast with it. (Pray for Me!) So on my Facebook page I post creations that I created for clients as well as do shout-outs to businesses that I’ve used or that maybe someone else could use because we’re all helpers one to the other, right?
On this page, I also give business tips (no, I’m no master or business guru) but when I see something or learn something, I want to share it with everyone else and that’s what I’ll be doing tonight, soooooo would you like to hang out with me? I’m going to go live at 7:30 pm EST tonight to talk about a recent business experience I had and how it may or can help us become better business parents. Whether you’ve been in business 30 years or just started one this year or last week. We could all use some refreshers!
So, if you want too – I’d love to see you tonight on my FB business page! It can be sorta be like a hanging out session in where you get some good information while you’re there. I’d love to see ya and have you aboard!
So you want to be a boss, already a boss or thinking about becoming your own boss – No matter where you are in this process, let me be the first to say “CONGRATULATIONS!!” and now my little celebratory business dance…
Okay, just wanted to celebrate you a little bit because whether you’ve been a boss or thinking about stepping out on faith to become one – it’s a celebrated moment. You should give yourself a BIG pat on the back for making what some call THE BIG LEAP!!
However, while becoming your own boss is exhilarating – it can also be very scary and you’ll doubt yourself many times during and going through the process “Can I really do this?”“Why am I doing this?” or “Do I really have the skills to do it!” and I will say “YES! YOU DO!!” otherwise why would the thought even come to your mind..
These were all thoughts I had when I ventured out into blogging and now/recently into my own writing and creative design publication business, happily entitled “RoshondaBCreative” – I create flyers, social handles, brochures, newsletters, resumes and so forth for others. I even can write up blog posts, content and copy-write as well. As a matter of fact, just last week I received my very first customer whom wanted me to create a flyer, she loved it! and for the first time in history outside of doing everything for “free” (more on that in a jiffy). I got my very first payment!!!! I was elated, excited and it gave me that extra push to confirm, I was in my right lane.
But before that happened, I had to get my business etiquette together. After-all, I had never ran a business before and had no idea as to what it really detailed. The only thing I knew is that I had to be professional because “first” impressions are lasting impressions and I’m a firm believer in “How you start” will definitely set the tone for how everything else in your business will run. Over the years, I’ve worked alongside some good and not so good business owners. Even if the business owner was not that great, there are still lessons that I took from them because in business everything won’t be rosy, there will be shortcomings and mistakes made but it’s how you handle those grey areas that will determine it’s success whether your business is BIG or small.
Listed below are a couple of “Tone Setters” I believe every business should have:
When I first learned that I wanted to turn my passion into a business, the first thing I did was get my paperwork together. What I mean by this is – I looked for contract templates, proposal templates and business card designs. I even took a free business class to find out what my business would be registered as, either an LLC or if I’d be considered a Sole Proprietor. If you’re just starting out I would suggest going ahead and getting your name registered at least as the cost is minimal. Once your business takes off, then I would go deeper into getting it trademarked and so forth. While you’re in the process, don’t forget to come up with a BOMB slogan! Something that identifies your business characteristic.
However; the main thing is making sure you have your contract, prices, proposals and business cards ready because when you announce “Open for Business?” you may not have time to get those things prepared because no one likes a messy business man or woman.
Oh gosh! I’ve seen some really messy communicators in business. If you say you’ll get back to someone in 24 hours, please make sure you do that. If you tell someone you’ll have their product ready in a week, please make sure you hit the deadline on the head or before. If someone sends you a message, please answer them and if you don’t answer within a specified period of time, just say “I apologize for the delay in getting back to you” first before you go into what their need may be.
Having good communication skills in business is a TOP priority and very essential to your business. Good communication can build your business, Bad communication can and will tear it apart before it gets off the ground good. Remember: Words travel faster than lighting!!
3rd Tone: No Freebies!
Photo by Bing/Empty Wallet
You’re going to always have that person that wants you to do something for free! However, you have to set the tone and let them know that you’re running a business and this time, you need to get paid. I remember accepting a job from a person that I knew very well. They needed me to update a resume they’d gotten from someone whom they stated “Didn’t do a good job” – they asked how much I would charge because they were going out for a job and desperately needed it the following day. I told them $5.00 and that evening I put everything aside just to get their work done. I sent it promptly the next day as suggested and after that…..silence….
I get an email about a week later telling me they ended up not using the resume and therefore because they didn’t use it, they figured they didn’t have to pay me my $5.00! Now don’t get me wrong, I know you might say that’s nothing but my TIME was everything! It was then that I decided to put a stipulation on payments. Anything $50.00 or less, I need the full payment unless we discussed you giving half down first. Value your time and your business enough to get your money upfront because your business doesn’t run off of “non-payments”
4th Tone: Don’t Be Afraid to Say No or Be Intimidated to Sell Yourself Short
Photo by Bing/Intimidation
When you first start out in business you may want to say YES to everyone and while that’s great in a rainbow world, you’re going to have to exercise your right and say NO! Only you know how much time and effort it’ll take you to complete a project. Think about that when you take on jobs, don’t allow someone to come into your business space and tell you what they want and what they need you to do. You’re the BOSS, you set the rules and tell them what YOU need them to do in order to complete their work.
Most times when this happens we feel as if we’re going to lose clients based off of our demands for our time and craft but that’s not the case. Don’t succumb to selling yourself or your product short, I mean you have to make a living as well…..what you start out doing for that one client will set the tone for what you do with other clients. If one client feels as though they can get over, guess what! That spirit will soon surround your business and the next thing you know, you’ll have other clients coming along wanting a handout or for you to sell yourself short & your response to that should always render a BIG NOOO!!
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These are just a couple of experiences I’ve experienced with “finally” starting my own business. Your business is like a newborn child in which you want to protect, nourish and watch it grow and grow and grow. Remember to stick to your guns and set the right tone because your business is depending upon you to shape and feed it. How you start is definitely how you’ll finish…
Do you have any business tips or stories? Share them below in the comments!
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