Four things I wish I knew about business before running my own
With Fleur Madden, Freelancing Gems CEO
After 20 years in my own business, there’s not much that ruffles my feathers, or that I haven’t seen or experienced. There are so many things I wish I knew and foundations I wish I had been told to set me on the right path. I learnt the hard way, but there is no way our FG members need to do that!
What I do know for sure is that the fundamentals to a successful business, no matter the size or industry are the same.
It doesn’t matter if you are new or an established business. There is always room for improvement and to level up, so if you are in business, this is for YOU!
There are a few things I believe deep in my core that have made a difference to my success.
I show up every time because I know no one is coming to save me.
Even when the chips are down and I want to cry into my pillow, I show up. I show up when others don’t because I have resilience in business and know it’s a long game. So if you take a hit, you just get back up the next day and get back in the ring.
Have a handle on your finances.
Yes, I mean forecasts, P&Ls and staying on top of your invoicing. If you don’t value your dollars, neither will anyone else.
Never stop building your brand.
Building your brand is a constant exercise. Get clear on what your business values are and what you stand for. People want to work with and for brands that are meaningful. Own that brand experience of what it’s like working with you.
Throw your hat in the ring and always hunt for new business.
I’m not a hard-sell type of person. I believe in authentic relationships where there are meaningful outcomes for both parties. But I actively seek out those opportunities and I don’t let them pass me by! If you aren’t seeking new customers, your growth will be slow. We don’t have time to wait for the perfect client or customer to knock on our door, we need to knock on theirs.
If you are needing a little help with areas of your business, I encourage you to check out our Business Tools which cover some of the fundamentals we sometimes overlook to ensure your business foundations are strong!
