Author Archive
Can any “passion” be turned into a business?
Posted by: | CommentsMany people I speak to wish they could start their own business or be their own boss. I’ve become a huge advocate for entrepreneurialism over the past year or so and I believe people can turn their passions into a successful business.
However, is that the case for everyone? Can anyone just be passionate about something and turn it into a money-making business?
Where do we draw the line between being passionate about something and actually being able to turn it into a viable business?
I don’t want to discourage anyone, but I don’t want to lead anyone on the wrong path either by saying, “Because you’re passionate about it, it will work” or is that the case?
This week’s blog is more out of curiousity and a desire to find the reasons some people go for it and give it their all, and those who don’t.
What are your thoughts?
Giving thanks
Posted by: | CommentsAfter a long hiatus, and a few busy weeks, I am back to blogging!
It’s amazing how time flies and we don’t realize that we haven’t seen our friends in a few weeks, haven’t gone to the gym in a while, or haven’t had a decent meal to eat because of our busy schedules.
One other thing we forget to do is to say “thank you” to our fellow colleagues or people who help us along the way.
I came across an interesting post and discussion on a Facebook page (PR in Canada) a while ago. It was in regards to saying “thank you” to a journalist for the coverage you receive for your client. I completely agree with this. Sometimes as communications people we are so busy when going through our media/call lists, that we forget to say thank you to the journalists/bloggers that helped make our clients happy.
On the other hand, let’s not forget the PR professionals who help journalists by bringing them the story, interview, etc.; which results in happier editors, publishers and readers. Everyone needs to remember that the work we do affects each other. Keep it polite and professional – always maintain that level of respect. Everyone is doing their job afterall.
Mentorship and success go hand in hand
Posted by: | Comments“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.” ~ Oprah Winfrey
If we look around, our personal relationships provide us with life mentors: our friends, mothers, grandmothers, our teachers, our dance instructors – the list can go on and on.
But why is it that in a professional setting many of us think we don’t need a mentor? If you just started out in your career or have been working for the past 15 years, could it help to have someone there that could guide you, point out your possible mistakes (nicely!) and ensure you are staying on track with your goals?
A couple of months ago, I attended a local CBBF session on the importance of mentorship to success – it made me realize the importance of having one and started me on my search for a mentor.
If we get to a point where we think we do not need mentors or people to perhaps offer us tips on how we can do things better, we lose out. If you keep doing the things you’ve always done you’ll keep getting the results you’ve always gotten (is that the famous quote?).
Crying at the workplace. Maybe a sign to leave?
Posted by: | CommentsI haven’t read Kelly Cutrone’s new memoir yet, If You Have to Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You, but the title got me thinking. How many times have I seen women crying on the job? Why would anyone want to stay at a job that brings them to tears??
This got me thinking about a couple of jobs that I had in the past and the several women that I saw crying. This isn’t about women being emotional or not being tough enough to handle the work they were doing. Also, the field of communications and PR is definitely female dominated, so the chance of seeing more women in tears than man in these competitive environments is higher (just wanted to throw that out there to clarify for the feminist in me).
This was about unfair situations and horrible bosses that made these women cry. Now, it’s never professional to cry in the workplace, so I agree with Cutrone’s title – but shouldn’t crying be a sign of a much bigger problem at the workplace? And why isn’t anyone doing anything about it?
Resources For New Entrepreneurs
Posted by: | CommentsIf you have always thought about becoming an entrepreneur, or have recently started your own business, there are many resources you can use to help guide you. I have gathered together some of the sites that I visit and that I think are useful for those interested in taking the entrepreneurial route.
Do I have what it takes?
Some fun online tests to help you determine if you’ve got what it takes to make it as an entrepreneur. There are many more tests online, but here are some to get you started:
http://www.liraz.com/webquiz.htm
I’ve got what it takes – what now?
Sites to help you create your business plan and start your business.
http://www.bdc.ca/en/business_tools/business_plan/default.htm
http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/sme/create-plan/business-plans.html (or your local bank might have their own small business section)
http://www.ontario.ca/en/communities/entrepreneurs/index.htm?openNav=businesses
I’ve started my business – what’s next?
Some useful tips on how to grow your business, how to market your company, etc.
http://www.inc.com/growth-strategies
http://www.growingbusiness.co.uk/growth-strategies
Staying informed
Sites that will help keep you knowledgeable about entrepreneurship and other fun facts.
Risky Business
Posted by: | Comments“A real entrepreneur is somebody who has no safety net underneath them.” ~ Henry Kravis
In every job there is danger. For a construction worker it could be a collapsed building. For a police officer it could be a crazy hostage situation. For a pizza maker it could be a burnt hand (ouch). For entrepreneurs, it is the danger of the unknown!
As an entrepreneur, a lot of a one’s success is determined by how much they are willing to risk.
To go out on your own and break free from the safety and security of a 9 to 5 job with benefits – that’s a lot of risk. Not knowing when your next client or customer will come along – that’s a lot of risk. Not knowing if your product or service will sell – that’s a…well you get the point.
Being a risk-taker is a recurring theme in every entrepreneurial article or book I have come across. In my experience, taking risk is a huge part of becoming an entrepreneur. One thing that’s even more important than being a risk-taker though is having passion. The average entrepreneur is said to be driven by their passion for the product or service they offer. This passion will break down any walls of fear of not having that “safety net”.
Get over it! (…the fear of being your own boss, that is)
Posted by: | CommentsLately I’ve been experiencing higher than normal anxiety, the fear that maybe it won’t all work out and heavy reliance on emotional support from friends and family. The reason for acting this way, and being totally uncool, is that I have finally decided to follow my dream of being my own boss.
That’s right, after several years of working for others while wishing I was working for myself, I have taken the plunge into the entrepreneurial pool. At times a bit overwhelming (i.e. when creating my logo, designing my website, starting the business plan, etc. ) but at other times it is highly rewarding (i.e. when you sit down with a client and get some highly creative work done).
My business is fairly new but I remain optimistic. The key to staying positive when working for yourself is to plan, plan, plan! So I have some tips for how to stay organized and motivated, and therefore, not to be fearful of having your own business.
1) Plan your day from the night before. Write down all the important things that need to be done and do them one by one. Master the art of “mono-tasking”.
