success Archives

Seven Ways Independence Helps Your Business

July 1, 2019June 22, 2019Leave a comment

When you own a business, you have to be very independent. This happens because you need to be very focused and detail oriented. You are in charge and must be able to plan and overcome whatever business might throw at you. I have learned and grown so much in the years of owning my business.

1. Diversify Your Client List

Find 2-3 reliable clients, and keep a few on the radar. These people pay the bills and then some. You don’t want to overbook clients, but rather make sure you can fulfill or outsource before taking on anyone else.

2. Get a Backup Vendor

I always make sure to have a list of connections. I have a backup for backups. This measure is just because life happens, and sometimes someone might not be able to fulfill. Keep a list going so you can provide at all times.

3. Don’t Put All Your Marketing Eggs in One Basket

This precaution is one of the biggest things that I tell my clients day in and day out. You can’t just be solely on social media anymore. You also need to be doing in-person networking and print media. What if social media or the internet doesn’t work tomorrow? You have to rely on other sources.

4. Get Firm in Your Payment Terms

Many times, I have gotten burned. I got burned because I didn’t have contracts in place. I wasn’t specific with payment options. I LOVE Dubsado (enter link) for that reason alone. It keeps me on track and has all the information I need in one place.

5. Be Less Available

Do not let customers know if you work all hours of the day. Set those boundaries and guidelines. I check my email from 10-11 every day, and that’s it. I make sure that people can text or call, but a response can take up to 24 hours.

6. Take Vacations

You need to take a vacation, and you should be able to without disruption. People shouldn’t be calling you and texting you. Have a team ready or accessible, or let them know. You also want to ensure that you don’t have a client list overload for this reason, unless you have a great team.

7. Open Your Mind

Always keep your mind open for opportunities. This tip is one of the biggest things that I can say. I realized first-hand that there are a million ways to connect with someone; it might not always lead to a sale.

You are in charge and have to be able to plan and overcome whatever business might throw at you. I have learned and grown so much in the years of owning my business.

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

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Three Things Successful Women Never Do

June 28, 2019June 22, 2019Leave a comment

I feel that women are often put down, especially business owners. People do not think that women can be successful for whatever reason. Or maybe they don’t like to see a woman living successfully. Honestly, I am not sure. What I do know is that I have grown over the years of being a business owner + have made changes in my life to become a successful woman. Here are some mistakes that I have learned and seen along the way of what successful women never do:

Successful Women Never Ignore Their Fears: Being a business owner means you deal with a lot of fears and self-doubt. I can’t tell you how many times I was so scared of my business. I kept trying to find ways to get out of my business and trying to talk myself out of it, but instead, my business coach gave me pep talks day in and day out. It is critical to have a tribe for times like these.

Successful Women Never Look At Their Past As A Mistake: I do not have any regrets in life – none. That is right, no regrets at all. Everything has led me to where I am today. It was a stepping stone to get there, and I needed to make all of these ‘mistakes’ to be successful. I have learned along the way and know how to analyze information before implementing.

Successful Women Never Miss Opportunities To Shine: There have been so many times, that I could have passed up times to shine. Presentations and speaking gigs are the first ones that come to mind. Now, I can talk in person or online much better. I am special, worthy, and know that I can shine. I had to put the fear and doubt past me for my business mindset.

People do not think that women can be successful for whatever reason. Or maybe they don’t like to see a woman being successful. Honestly, I am not sure. What I do know is that I have grown over the years of being a business owner + have made changes in my life to become a successful woman.

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Read our disclosure.

Like this blog post? Want more like this? Sign up for our newsletter so you can stay up to date with Susie Liberatore | Entrepreneur.

What is Success?

June 24, 2019June 22, 20196 Comments

“What does success mean to you?” Someone asked me this the other day, and it got me thinking. What does success really mean? Furthermore, what does it really mean to me?

Most people think being happy and having a lot of money is key, but it is not. There is much more than having a luxurious life and money.

Some might define success as not having to work more than 40 hours per week, and another person defines success as having a million dollars in the bank account. I’m somewhere in between, I’d say.

BUT…

I also know that success is meeting MY goals. Success is closing those sales. Success is keeping clients happy and content. Success is providing for my son. Success seeing my son happy and working with him.

I think most can relate to the fact that when you start a business, you come in knowing you want to make six figures plus. My goal was to make what I was making in my corporate job. LAME. I made it in no time. Then what?

Some people want to make millions or billions and that equals success to them. But for me, it’s giving the results that my clients want. It is providing for my son in the way that he needs. It is following through and having full creativity with client work.

YES, money is a great part of success, but think outside of the box. You have to set goals; if you do not set goals, then you can’t ever really define your success. Agree?

Whenever I feel down and out, I make a list of people I admire both professionally and personally. This action helps me to understand success and goals for the future.

So tell me, what does success mean to you? Does it mean having money or having a good job? Or something else? Know that you are successful, and set those goals so that you know you are successful.