Success in Business

Is starting your own business a good idea?

Have you ever wondered “Should I start my own business?” I am thinking that is a solid yes, or you would not be reading this. I hummed and hawed about it for years, the only regret I, eventually, had was that I did not start sooner. Starting Your Own Business

There are a lot of things you need to consider before you start your own business but that is not what this article is about. Today, I am only going to talk about the reasons why you should.

I am going to fill you full of “the grass is greener” syndrome. Don’t get me wrong, there are just as many perks to being an employee as there are being your own boss. The same goes for the downsides, there are plenty to go around on both sides of the fence. However; not everyone was born to be an employee. Some of us were meant to be leaders, creators, and entrepreneurs.

So here is my happy little list of why I say, Yes, it is a good idea to start your own business.

Freedom 

The biggest reason, I feel, one should start their own business is freedom. When you are your own boss you have a lot more freedom. Yes, there will be customers, regulators and possibly investors telling you what and how to do things – but – you have the freedom to make your own decisions. You can even make the decision to not listen to those listed and do your own thing. The choice is yours, just remember so are the results.

You will have the freedom to determine your own work hours. Of course, within reason. You may not get away with sleeping until noon every day and only be available to customers only between the hours of midnight and 3 am – but – you will be able to plan your days according to your own personal schedule. You can schedule your days so you can pick up your kids from school, schedule any appointments whenever you want, or even go grocery shopping in the middle of an afternoon on a Tuesday. (It’s the little things in life, right?)

Being your own boss also gives you the freedom to be your creative self! Every person should strive for this, and when you are calling the shots you are able to do this by building on your own ideas as opposed to implementing them into someone else’s business success.

Challenges

As a business owner, every day will be full of new challenges. You will constantly be learning, creating, problem-solving and more. You will never say that your work is the “same old boring routine, day in and day out” again. I promise you that.

the way to get started is to quit talking and start doing, Why starting your own business is a good idea.

Job Security

Sounds a little wonky, I know but believe it, there is job security in owning your own business. How is this possible? You ask – well, as long as you have a business, you will have a job…

Financial Opportunity

Not trying to blow any smoke where it doesn’t belong but when you own your own business the financial opportunities are endless. Whereas an employee, your salary will most likely be capped at some point in your career.

There you have it! A few key reasons why I believe starting your business is a good idea. I am not saying it is the easy path to take but for some of us – it truly is the right path.

If you have no idea where to start, check out The Virtual Studio’s Idea to Income Group Coaching Program! In this 90-Day Program, I walk you through big-picture dreaming and planning by helping you create a business plan, define your purpose, set goals and build a strategy.

Do you need more? Accountability. Community. Support.
Why not join us inside the Study Hall?

Become a member for only $7/month!

Benefits of the Study Hall Facebook Group:

  • Accountability Calls – 30 minute “working” room sessions. You can pick and choose which ones you want to join, just a few or all! (total value of $120/month) (These are NOT social or coaching sessions – we hop on, we focus on our business, we work together-quietly.)
  • Ask Me Anything Sessions – Monthly 1-hour AMA group session, inside a Library Room, that you can ask Joelene anything you want. During AMA sessions, I will do my best to answer all questions, but research may be needed and patience is appreciated! (Group coaching value $150/ month)
  • A goal-setting session on the last Friday of each month to review successes and declare intentions for the next month. There is also an accountability goal-setting thread. (Group coaching value $150/ month)
  • Access to the Studio Library Resources

This group is capped to allow for intimacy, networking and to ensure member success.

Starting Your Own BusinessWhy starting your own business is a good idea.

Starting Your Own Business

Hostess Coaching Tips For A Successful Direct Sales Party!

If you have a direct sales or network marketing business, chances are parties are the lifeblood of your business. One of the most important aspects of to having a successful party is to work with your Hostess. Setting your Hostess up for success is just as important to your business as your sales. Effective hostess coaching is how you are able to do this.

It all starts with a plan, who knew “party planner’ was part of the job description of Entrepreneur Goddess?

Basically, when it comes to having a successful party, it will come down to a strong strategic plan, communication and truly partnering with your host or Hostess.  You will be able to increase your party sales, and bookings, by working with them on several different levels. Here are a few things to remember when working with your host or Hostess.

Remember, if they have a successful party – you will have a successful party!

1. Appreciate your Hostess!

• Send your Hostess a handwritten thank you and let her know she’s appreciated. Build a solid foundation of trust and confidence by sharing that you’ll be there to guide her along the way. Include a link or email her a “save the date” graphic (easy to create in Canva) that she can easily send to her guests.

• Mail a Hostess packet with a cover letter, catalogue and order forms.  Be sure to place post-it tabs in the catalogue on the Hostess program page and special products. Also, put a few extra post-it tabs in the package, so the Hostess can tab her favourite pages and products.

2. Be A Good Listener:

• Call your Hostess and set up a “Wish List, time it so you call soon after her packet arrives. Write down everything on her list and create an action plan to help her get it all. The plan should include pre-party orders and a pre-arranged booking.

• Discuss any concerns that your Hostess might have. Brainstorm ideas on how to get outside orders, create e-vite reminders for friends and family, not on Facebook, and possibly teaming up with a friend to double-host.

hostess coaching

3. Set High Expectations:

• We’ve all heard, “Aim for the moon and you’ll fall among the stars.” So, aim high.  Add a Hostess tip and tricks checklist in your hostess packet.

• Don’t settle. Challenge your Hostess to beat your highest or last party. Be sure to recognize her efforts on the event page, using fun graphics, emojis and stickers to build her confidence.

4. Create a strategy:

• If it is an online Facebook event, advise your Hostess to only invite FB friends that she knows well enough that she’d invite them to a home party. That will help keep both you and her in a spam-free zone.

• Encourage rules of engagement: Personal phone calls or send hand-written invitations to the party. Encourage social media engagement by having your Hostess comment on all posts on the event page put up by you and to post some herself. She could tag friends who shop and share her own pics of her fave products.

• Make sure your Hostess builds excitement for her own party: review your “day of party” game plan prior to the event, which should include personal reminders to everyone who is attending, a “party crashers welcome” post on her personal page and an “I’m so excited” post on the event page a few hours before party time.

5. Use your phone:

• Remember that your phone was created to be used as a… phone. Personal phone calls with your Hostess could be the most innovative risk you take and encourage her to do the same with her guests.

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Inspiring Greatness: How bad do you want it?

Eric Thomas (aka ET The Hip Hop Preacher) shares The Secrets to Success in an energetic and passionate speech to students at Michigan State University.

inspiring greatness the virtual studio How bad do you want it

Take ten minutes to watch this video, or just hit play, close your eyes and listen because it is so inspiring and motivational.  And when says “When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful.” Take a deep breath and realize just how bad you want to be successful.

Find more inspiration on the blog go here and be sure to check out Eric Thomas at etinspires.com.

How bad do you want it?

Inspiring Greatness: Women who are changing the world.

Women who are changing the world
There is no better way to start my Inspiring Greatness: Women who are changing the world series, then with the new trailer for Firsts, TIME’s new video series on 46 groundbreaking women.

For the past year I have been planning and preparing for the launch of The Virtual Studio, and the Path to Success programs, and to be honest, a good number of the women in this series have been true inspirations for me on my this journey.

I don’t think women need to do anything other than what they are doing right now, and that’s moving forward.

Aretha Franklin

The launching of this project could not have come at a more perfect time in my life. I do hope that these women, and many many more, can inspire and motivate you on your journey.

Take a moment and be inspired, by something as simple as the trailer for the project! I hope to post more on this project as I continue to watch the videos.

Head to the Time Magainze website to learn more about the project!
TIME Firsts: Women Who Are Changing The World 

Inspiring Greatness: Women who are changing the world.

8 Fun facts about social media.

I am a lover of trivia and useless knowledge, actually, let me clarify.  Because no knowledge is useless knowledge, I suppose I am a lover of fun facts. Facts of all kinds.  My family will no longer play any trivia games with me. I am always trying to learn new things, because of this I always win at trivia games.  Since they won’t play with me or care to hear my “Did you know?” ‘s anymore, I have to share my knowledge somehow…

You, my friend, are the lucky recipient of my vast amount of stuff you didn’t think you needed to know. Today’s edition of stuff you didn’t think you needed to know is brought to you by social media.

Working with social media across the board I need to do my research to decide which media platform will best fit my client’s needs. In my findings, I have found these little tidbits!

** Disclaimer, this information is information I have remembered over time – I am sure the numbers are constantly shifting as social media is always developing.**

I hope you enjoy them and I know they can be used to boost your social media presence!

1. 80% of Pinterest pins are actually repinned. Seriously, not a lot of new content here!
2. The fastest growing demographic on Twitter is the 55-64 year age bracket.
3. 93% of marketers are using social media. However; only 9% of them have full-time bloggers.
4. Despite the fact that you are always hearing about privacy concerns, only 25% of Facebook users actually utilize the privacy settings.
5. Even though it has a lower percentage of users than Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Pinterest, LinkedIn has 2 new members join every second.
6. Approximately 46% of web users will look towards social media before making a purchase. – Ahem… this is why you need a cohesive plan!
7. In 2013, Instagram already had more than 16 billion photos uploaded since its debut in 2010 and 5 million photos are uploaded daily.
8. All this information points to social media’s popularity but how popular is it, really? It’s the most popular activity online. Yup. It is even more popular than porn.

There you have it – some shocking information about social media. If number 2 wasn’t shocking enough, #8 had my jaw on the floor!

That there is useful information for an entrepreneur, I can officially say my useless social media knowledge is not so useless, can’t I?

Now, take the vast amount of information you have been given, you know – the 8 things you just read, and use it to help you handle your social media accounts!

8 fun-facts about social media8 Fun Facts About Social Media

Take a peek inside our new accountability group!

Accountability benefits you in several ways as you pursue your dreams. Being held accountable isn’t only for those who are struggling with a particular issue, but for anyone with a goal. Working with an accountability partner or team is a key to success for anyone who wants their business to grow. If this is something you need, please, join us inside the Study Hall!

Become a founding member of the Study Hall community and gain access to exclusive content from the Studio Library, Mentorship, and experts in all areas of small business.

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8 Fun Facts About Social Media