Open Your Mind, and Expect The Great!!

5  Lessons Learned from Starting A Business:

You Can Do It!!

It's been a while, and soooo much has transpired in the midst of it all. Well for starters, I recently celebrated my 1st year wedding anniversary and my 27th birthday, and naturally I refelcted deeply on my life, my goals and priorities.
It's a blessing to have life, and I am even more inspired to fullfil my God given purpose with fervor and intensitiy.

SageEden Media Group is certainly growing and this summer, we have been preparing to launch some new services and products to our diverse market. We have been recently providing many organizations with strategic coaching services in the areas of customer service, media, branding, business etiquette and communications.

We have also been forming amazing partnerships, and invite you to look forward to CONSTELLATIONS, (a professional networking event) this November to be the first to hear what we are launching!

Now onto five lessons that I have personally learned from running a business!

1. Know what your business is.

Honestly I think for the most part, people jump into business based on an impulsive desire to transition from employee to employer. Not much time is devoted to planning the intricate details of what the business will entail, and most importantly, how the business will make money, and sustain itself. Furthermore, when I first started my business, I tried to do everything, but quickly learned that outsourcing and delegation was the most efficient way to get things done on time and well.

So I would encourage anyone thinking about going into business to first remember that a business is like a seed that need consistent nurturing and will bring forth fruit in the right season!
Your business will cause you to mature so don't give up on it.

2. Your website.

Before I launched my business I devoted months to developing a website that would be reflective of myself and the company's vision. While I made many changes along the way, and even relaunched the site (www.sageedenmedia.com) I was thankful that I did spend the time on it to ensure that clients around the world could have a snapshot of my business 24 hours a day.
Some people may wonder if a website is a necessary investment at the start of the business. I would dare to say that it truly is. You would be amazed to know how many customers review your website before they contact you for services. So on that note, ensure that it is clear, concise, user friendly and contains key information that your customers may need to make the decision to contract your services.
Allow your website to make a good first impression and then your quality service will do the rest!


3. Your Office Space

A huge problem many face when starting a business is finding the perfect location to work from. Diving right into renting an expensive office space without fully considering the long term costs associated, was one of the major lessons I learned the hard way.

Please understand that you will be required to maintain your rental payments during the great and not so great business months, so if you can create a professional space in an area where you have to incur little to no overhead cost, then by all means, start there!
Some of you may be transitioning from a full time job to your own business like I was a few years ago. Don't assume that your savings will stretch forever....I found out that all of the savings you have can be consumed in a start up business within less than a year. So be wise and allow your funds to be used on the most important things needed to grow your business.

4. Accounts

In my first two years of business I made the mistake of a) Not paying myself a consistent salary, and b) Not being consistent with using my business account for BUSINESS purposes ONLY! Two huge mistakes and I entreat you not to make the same.
Even if you decide to pay yourself as little as  $100 per week, that is better than nothing at all. You still need to maintain a personal account so that you are able to pay for gas (transportation) lunch, and other miscellaneous items that may come up.
The best advice I would give is to see your business as another person- it is a separate entity and should be treated as so. This means that you should not dip into your business account for things like vacation, shopping, or even emergencies.
Let SageEden Media coach you on how to utilize the Jar System to increase your ability to manage your money, and watch it grow.


5. Networking

May I say that this has been an amazing tool in growing my business from the ground up!!
Please note that if you are an entrepreneur, your business is your baby! Be proud of it no matter what stage it is in. Tell others about it. Be willing to barter goods and services with other partners. Be open minded and go to events where you can be sure to meet other forward thinkers! One conversation can spark a series of profitable events in your company. Trust me on that one!
I also would encourage all of us to invest in attending conferences locally and internationally where you will meet others from diverse cultures. Travelling also allows you to gain inspiration and new ideas.

So get motivated to take your life and your business to the next level, and feel free to share your story with us via facebook or comment on this blog!


Until next time!

Yours In Success
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