Dreams are awesome. But a dream without a plan is just a wish, right?
I’ve loaded you mompreneurs up with links to resources that have helped me build 2 brick and mortar businesses. These are just some of the practical tools and resources that I’ve discovered..and remember I’m a newbie so there are WAY more out there that I don’t even know about yet.
Passive & Active Learning:
I like to take a lot of info in, and then discard most of it…because I see if it fits with my internal compass or not, and discard all but what is essential to me. It’s ok to disagree with information you learn too! You’re the expert on YOU and your business. No. One. Else.
That being said, I’m an information hound. It’s like a blood game for me to seek and find info. Even if I ‘know’ whatever topic, hearing another voice say it, being refreshed about the topic, learning a new resource, just reminding myself to freaking do it..I’m always always always learning. To a fault at times, where I hide behind the learning and don’t go DO. That’s the difference between dreamers and do-ers though. And I’m finally there. Learning happens in the background and when push comes to shove and I have to figure something out in order to move forward.
Podcasts are by far my favorite way to learn. Please say, oh I don’t have time to listen to anything. Or I’ll sit down and listen someday. I just laaaaaugh and laugh…sometimes I tell them when I listen, sometimes I just let it roll – they aren’t learners anyway so I need to drop it. I listen in the shower, I mean I wouldn’t want to miss out on 5-7 minutes of something great! I listen while getting ready, while cleaning, while cooking, everything. The only time I don’t listen is while drying my hair – I’ve tried to do the earbud thing, you can hear great…BUT I have on several occasions ripped my earbuds out of my ears, which takes the phone with it. Grrr. So hair drying is the only time it gets paused. As soon as I get in the car, I press play. I listen on all drives anywhere, and then I let it play in my pocket while I open shop, and get organized. Only when I sit down to work on something else is when I turn it off.
Podcasts
Some of my favorites: It rotates, and I’ll love some then delete them then they come back on the rotation. I will also be doing my own podcast in the next year. That’s right…I just put that out there (!!!). For now, enjoy these absolute gems.
This is the basic list – there really are so so so many wonderful ones on any subject – marriage, sales, religion, anxiety, how-to, parenting, nursing, working moms, etc. Go exploring!
You can also listen on Stitcher too!
Blogs:
Seth Godin (this is the only one I actually get the emails for, as I just check the others when I want to)
Learning:
Website/Graphics:
Finances:
Quickbooks/Quickbooks Online – There are other tools like freshbooks and sage, but I find that all my accountants I’ve ever worked with for personal or business are simply most familiar and well versed in QB.. so ya that’s the necessary part).
Everydollar.com – To keep your own personal budget completely in check (variable incomes are VERY different from a typical 9-5 salary job and you have to be ON TOP OF IT!)
Crowdfunding: IndiGoGo, Kickstarter, SmallKnot, Kiva, etc etc etc. If you’re not putting in your own money, don’t have investors/co-founders etc yet…crowdfunding is a very real possibility these days.
Legal:
Gotta have it! Here are some general resources, and some specific to Dayton, Ohio.
I can’t find a great small business attorney for you…but know that if you want to scale beyond just you and maybe a freelancer or two on the side..you’ll have to do some legal jazz. You might as well accept it and get in the details because successful business owner knows..the devil is in the details!
Bureau of Worker’s Compensation – A must have once you hire even 1 employee. Get to know it well, there are great incentive for small businesses.
IRS Small Business – Just get used to this site, get comfortable with it, love it, live it. :/
Ohio Department of Jobs & Family Services – Once you get employees, you’ll live, eat, breathe this site.
SCORE – Dayton – Wonderful, free resources. Don’t go at it alone.
Small Business Administration (SBA) – Same as above. Also, if you’re doing a loan, you’ll want to consider an sba loan and there are lots of options depending on fields.
Processes/Software:
Capterra.com – For software reviews, it’s not perfect…but it’s a start that’ll link you out to check out the various tools. The tools and processes are KEY to scaling…so take your time.
Meet Edgar (there is Buffer too…but I’m just not a fan..) For scheduling and repurposing content.
Collaboration:
Skype/Facetime/Ovoo/Google Hangouts..you’re likely familiar with these!