Every business owner needs a professional headshot at some point, even if you do not own a service-based business. Showing your brand’s unique personality through its team is a great opportunity to set your business apart from other competitors. From countless interactions with entrepreneurs all over the Central Valley area from Fresno to Visalia and beyond, I know that a lot of business owners take a one-and-done approach, never updating their first headshot…
Read MoreI think all of us tend to play the ‘what if’ game from time to time, or even on a daily basis. We play mental games to try and prepare ourselves for the worst case scenarios…
What if I lose my job or my business fails?
What if that person never speaks to me again?
What if I messed up in too big of a way to ever come back?
What if…the list goes on, and I’m sure you have no trouble filling in the blanks with your own fears and worries.
Marketing options are absolutely endless, and it’s just one of so many business decisions you need to make every month, week, and day. I have felt overwhelmed at times trying to juggle everything, from taxes to advertising to client relationships and more. At the end of the day, though, the question is simple: what is the best thing you can do for your small business?
Luckily, in terms of marketing, the answer is even simpler. It’s not about the exact right amount of money spent, or even the perfect design for your website. It’s all about who your customer is. So, in short, the answer to the question is this:
Read MoreA few weeks ago, I was totally overwhelmed. I had just picked up some new clients, increased hours a LOT for Easton Outdoors, and a lot of life was happening in between the working hours, not to mention the intense amount of training I’ve opted for leading up to the Boston Marathon. As I juggled everything I had to do day in and day out, I knew that I either had to make some changes or offload a few things from my plate. I know myself well enough to realize that cutting back would be a pretty drastic measure if it had to happen, so it wasn’t my first choice. But something had to give…
Read MoreEvery year there are dozens of possibilities for business purchases and investments, and the beginning of the year usually brings a lot of those decisions to light - along with the cost of buying the things you’ve been eyeing for awhile! With a lot of opportunities before you it can be easy to get overwhelmed, so I’m here to help. Here are my three recommendations for the best investments to make in your small business as the year begins.
1) Hire a CPA…
Read MoreNobody, including me, knew what to expect coming into 2021. The world was still partially shut down with some limited re-openings, vaccines were just starting to roll out, and there was only a small hope of normalcy on the horizon. The news seemed mostly negative (well, I guess it still does), traveling was still a question mark, and all of us realized we were in it for the long haul.
As I sit here in the last month of the year, I can truly say that I had no dreams of doing the things I have been able to over the past 12 months. There have been a lot of highs and lows, but in the spirit of celebrating the joy and peace that we want so desperately out of a holiday season, here are my personal and business highlights over the past year. Enjoy reliving the best moments with me!
Read MoreLet’s admit it: we’re all on our phones all day long. While I could write (and have read!) a dozen things about some potentially negative side effects, I also find my phone to be an incredibly valuable tool for business. I have gotten better about not being on my phone during non-work hours, so I use it to the fullest for my business during the week.
Over the years I have found some incredibly useful apps and tools that could help any small business owner - and a lot of non-business owners as well! Here are four apps I can’t live without…
Read MoreAwhile ago my sister asked me how I am so productive and efficient during the day. I laughed at that thought, because I often feel like I’m running around with constant interruptions. My days look so different from each other, and working right now is the hardest it has ever been. There are a lot of factors beyond my control that add some disorder and difficulty to my life as far as being productive is concerned.
But then I realized that maybe, just maybe, this is one of my strong suits. As chaotic as I feel inside, I know my business has remained strong and most people probably have not noticed much of a difference. I am still adding new clients while I serve my current clients. I continue to actively learn more about SEO, Google ads, and social media marketing in general. Of course my personal life hasn’t slowed down, and neither has my running. With that in mind, I began to think about how exactly I can accomplish this in the midst of life upheavals. I came up with a few pointers…
Read MoreProductivity. It’s a word that can bring up a lot of emotions, both good and bad, that may change from day to day or month to month. When we are at our best and most productive we can feel accomplished, powerful, and efficient. But we cannot live life at the top of our game all the time, and as a result there will be seasons when being productive is not a consistent part of our lives.
I first started this business when I was working full-time at another job, and it didn’t take long to realize that I had to make the most of the limited time I was given each day after work. I tried and failed in a few different ways, but over time I have streamlined a lot of my processes to make sure I can get done what I need to in the time frame I’m given…
Read More
