Ideas & Inspirations for Small Businesses
Idon’t know about you, but I am a goal setter and a list maker. These processes help me to become clear on what to do for my business to go to the next level. Part of that is being honest with myself about what is working to enhance my business and what is not. As a small business owner, it seems to be a continual conversation. For instance, I find that the methods of marketing or bookkeeping that are least efficient are the ones I don’t enjoy doing. I need to be cognizant of them, or my work as a whole may suffer.
Spring is the perfect time to take an inventory of your business and how you wish to accomplish your goals. Give yourself permission to make the changes that will reinvigorate you, your employees, and the spirit of your business. Here are a few things to contemplate to restore your love of what you do.
1. Reimagine Your Mission
Often times, the reason we start a business seems to fall away as the mundane patterns of doing business begin to take over. Maybe you just opened a small business and the experience—or result—isn’t matching your expectation. Or perhaps you’ve been in business so long, you don’t feel inspired any longer in regard to what drew you to your business in the first place. Do not hesitate to examine what has become the purpose of your work and reimagine the business to match what keeps you in business today.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Pivot
Do you have a brick-and-mortar store or a new product you were sure would have an impact, but it just hasn’t worked out that way? Forty-two percent of small businesses fail because of the lack of demand for their product. If you find your business isn’t what you thought it was or isn’t working the way you need it to, don’t be afraid to pivot. With a little reflection and innovation there are hundreds of ways to shift your business, your investment, and your daily activities to match what brings you joy and to provide what your customers need.
3. Create New Habits
Instead of setting more goals, think about it as creating new habits. You’ll find this restores your inspiration for performing the details of your work and allows for new creative thoughts to flow. For example: Start getting up one hour earlier or later than usual. This small shift will realign you with an inventiveness that stimulates you with new ideas and energy for your business.
4. Learn Something New
Learning something new keeps your heart and brain functioning with refreshed curiosity about life. This can only strengthen your confidence and perseverance as a small business owner and give you the creativity to change your offerings to match your customers’ needs.
5. Adopt A New Marketing Strategy
It really is all about the marketing. Your business can have a very powerful voice in your community, but your milieu wants to hear from you in the ways they are most comfortable. Adjusting your marketing method to the options most supported by your customer base is the way to go—even if it is not in your comfort zone. Your customers don’t mind if you’re not great at social media posts, ads, or videos; they are happy to laugh with you at your attempts and more likely to remember your store or brand because of it.
Doing business in today’s climate can be overwhelming. It is mandatory for small business owners to remain fluid and flexible in listening to the needs of the communities they serve and to continue their love relationship with the business they invested in with so much of their financial and sweat equity.
Author: Tracee Dunblaizer
Tracee Dunblazier, GC-C, is a Los Angeles-based spiritual empath, shaman, and eleven-time national award-winning author, publisher, and President of COVR: Coalition of Visionary Resources. As a multi-sensitive, Tracee’s blend of intuitive information combined with different modalities, has provided the opportunity for many to achieve deep healing and create the success and peace they seek in their lives. Her latest bestseller is Conquer Your Karmic Relationships: Heal Spiritual Trauma to Open Your Heart and Heal Your Soul.
