You’re a one-(wo)man show working hard to build a sustainable, profitable business that allows you to keep doing what you love.
You keep hearing that you CAN make your passion profitable. And you know that in order to keep GROWING your business, you’ll have to outsource at some point (since there will always only be 24 hours in the day).
But you’re not there yet.
Right now, you need to make your passion profitable as a one (wo)man show, so that you can afford to outsource & build that team. Yet HOW do you do that?!
Over the last 6 months, I have built a team; I know have an amazing virtual assistant, an in-house designer, a lead planner, and a bookkeeper. To say it’s amazing would be an understatement – I truly thrive in a team environment! But I know that (a) not all of you love the manager role and (b) not all of you can afford to be a manager as this phase in your business.
So I put together 5 things you can do RIGHT NOW to grow your biz, but before you read below, be sure to jump into my FREE challenge so you make the MOST out of growing your biz in the early biz years!!!
Now, keep reading for 5 things you can do RIGHT NOW to grow your biz when you don’t have a team!!
1. Know Your Strengths:
When you’re a one (wo)man show, you don’t have time to mess around. And why should you? You’re hustlin’ to make your business profitable and in order to do that – and to do that well – you need to look at what you’re GOOD at.
Make a list of your Business Boasts. What comes naturally to you? What comes easier to you? Is it blogging? Insta-story? Writing a timeline? Editing? Creating a Brand Board?As a one (wo)man show, your goal should be exemplifying your strengths. Use them to work FOR your business – show ‘em off, and think of ways you can go above & beyond in those areas of your business. It’s easier and more efficient to grow your current talents & skills vs. learning brand new ones.
2. Have a Clear Vision:
I made a huge mistake early on in my career: I looked around at what everyone else was doing and thought I had to do it, too.
I started haphazardly spinning my wheels – running like a hamster in a wheel just going-going-going but not actually going anywhere.
Do you feel that way? Are you offering a certain product or service just because she is? Are you offering a product or service with no real idea why you are? Are you spending too much time in your business and not enough time on your business?
Having a vision for your company will allow you to move forward – even if it feels like you’re moving at a snails pace. Slow & steady wins every single time because it’s in that slow & steady pace that you create systems, understand numbers and focus on the WHY behind EVERYTHING you offer. As my friend Mary Marantz says, you’re digging roots & roots are what will outlast the storm.
2017 isn’t even half over – there’s a lot of time left to cast vision & make moves. I challenge you to block off time in your calendar to strategically look at what you want to happen in 2017. Don’t look at what she’s doing – look at YOUR company and what YOU want to do.
Ask yourself: What fires you up? What do you daydream about? What do you dread about your business; why? What are you currently offering that needs to stay; why? What needs to go; why? When it’s January 1, 2018, what do you want to say about 2017?
3. Understand the Numbers:
For most of you, numbers are probably your least favorite thing when it comes to owning a business.
Trust me when I say that I am raising my hand right along side you! I used to be terrible with numbers – I didn’t understand & therefore looked at them & scratched my head.
I had to become a numbers person in order to make my business a BUSINESS and not a hobby. And you do, too.
You need to understand the financial state of your company so you learn what’s working, what isn’t & what you need to do to propel your company forward.
So how do you become a numbers person?
While it might be more fun to attend a workshop that hones in on your creative craft, I want to urge you to invest in education & software that will help you play the numbers game.
You can invest in consultation with a bookkeeper – a one-on-one experience to walk you through setting up your books so that you are correctly tracking your income & expenses. You can invest in a class dedicated to the financial side of owning a business. Or if you’re like me and really hate the numbers, you can invest in a bookkeeper who does all of it for you!
Wait, Kat, I thought you said I wouldn’t have to outsource?! I think we all know that sometimes hiring the experts is the only way around it! Surrounding yourself with people who are better than you is the best way to build a strong, sustainable company.
4. Focus on Free Advertising:
AKA – Social Media! We’ve spent exactly $0 on advertising for Creative at Heart Conference and have 7 consecutive conferences (5 of which sold out) and over 300 alumni to show for it.
Social Media is a powerful tool, and while algorithms make you want to pull your hair out, it’s STILL the leading source of advertising for your business.
In order to utilize free advertising well (and not waste your time), you need to think about 2 things:
- What are you good at?
- Where are your clients?
Remember those Business Boasts? Were any of them social media related? If not, what aspects of social media do you consider a strength? Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest… rank yourself not on the amount of followers you have, but on how knowledgeable you are on the platform. Then rank yourself on where your clients are – do they prefer Facebook? Are they scrolling Pinterest? Do they love the BTS of IG stories? Instead of spreading yourself so thin across all platforms, pick 2. Pick 2 and go ALL OUT, girl! Go big or go home has never been truer than right now.
5. Create Systems:
Rather than hiring a team to help you get the work done (and free up your time), systems should become your best friend. Having solid systems in your business can & will free up your time for the things you love & the things that bring in the most profit.
You should be focusing on processes just as much as you are products/services. There are incredible tools out there that can help you streamline your workflow, organize your business & even automate various aspects of your company. Rather than hiring a team – and having to then dedicate time to training & managing – you should have a concrete system & only hire when the system needs more brains behind it.
Don’t forget to join the FREE Grow Your Biz challenge below!!
Are you a one (wo)man show? Tell me in the comments how I can support you!
xo! kat
