Tomorrow is the day!! It’s my one year anniversary in business and oh boy, what a journey it has been.
Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, I’ve always dreamt of being my own boss one day.
Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought it would already happen in my 20’s, while travelling the world.
The past 365 days have taught me a whole freakin’ lot, and today I’m here to share what I’ve learned — the good, the bad, the everything.
Hire mentors
Before I even registered my business, I started working with mentors and refining my skill set. Even though I came from a project management background and knew how to successfully manage team members and deadlines, the online business world was completely new to me. I got certified as an Online Business Manager in October 2018, after 3 months of intensive training and officially left my full-time role in December 2018. Since then, I’ve continuously worked with people who could help me fast track my entrepreneurial journey, whether that was signing up for online courses, receiving 1:1 coaching or participating in masterminds. Truth is, investing in yourself can be scary AF. But if you’re committed to do the work, you’ll likely be able to make back your investment in no time.
Jab, Jab, Jab Right Hook
It’s true, you can start an online business by just having an Instagram account. But if you think that you’ll sell anything by just listing your services, I’m sorry but I have to crush your dreams. You have to constantly give value to others before asking them to buy your products and services. Sharing your knowledge and building genuine relationships is key in order to establish yourself as an expert. It took me months before I got my first client through Instagram.
Build an email list
Being present where your target audience hangs out is important but the past has shown that we can’t rely on third-party platforms only. By building an email list, you have full control over your followers even when Facebook is down or Instagram is changing its algorithm. The easiest way to build your list is by creating a freebie and continuously nurture your subscribers with content they can’t find anywhere else.
Become a master of time & task management
When you start working for yourself, time equals money. Unlike in corporate, you’re not getting paid for going on coffee breaks, hitting the refresh button on Instagram or watching Netflix (no shame, we’ve all been there). You need to start being really intentional about how you manage your time and To Do’s. I love to plan out my whole week on Friday so that when I open the laptop on Monday morning I know exactly what my priorities for the day are and I can dive straight into work.
Document your processes
I know this sounds boring AF and is the less glamorous side of running a business but it’s so important that you document your processes. Systemizing your business will save you so much time later down the road, especially once you start outsourcing. As an Online Business Manager, I’ve worked with businesses who have capped their own growth by not having any systems in place. If you need help in getting started with systems, I’ve created a super in-depth guide that walks you through the different steps.
I can’t wait for what the second year & 2020 will bring, I’ve planned so many great things and can’t wait to share with you!
