Business advice abounds

from Etsy

I am always looking for good business advice.  Especially from people who have created a successful business - and even more especially from women who have created a successful business and raised a family.  It's a tricky balance to feel like you are a good mom when your hours are unpredictable and the money is even less predictable.  

Yesterday I spent time with Rosanna Bowles who has created a very successful business and raised two daughters.  She had lots of good advice and thoughts on what I could be doing too.  It was really reassuring to hear her thoughts - and to know that she was away when her girls were little but they weren't ruined by it.  

I think for anyone who is starting their own business and raising a family, there are tough days when you think you are failing at everything.  The kids are still in their jammies at 6pm, the only thing anyone has eaten all day is cereal, and Quickbooks has crashed.  But then there are days when the kids are happy, I have gotten a lot done, and dinner has actually been thought of before 8pm.  Since we moved, those days are rare for me and I have been in need of reassurance that it has been done before.  And that it can work.  

Today, Amy Atlas posted a talk that she gave on her small business advice and secrets.  She had ten points that were all really good points.  Ten is too many for me to remember, but a lot of them were similar to what Rosanna said the day before.  

From both ladies, here is what I took away.  

:: Do what you love :: 

Rosanna called it your bliss.  But the gist is to stay true to what got you into the business in the first place and stay focused.  What I have learned is that I love to do a lot of things.  As long as I can keep them under one umbrella then I am in good shape.  My path has not been a straight line - and that's ok.  But I have stayed true to who I am and what I believe which has kept everything relatable.  

:: Don't try to do everything or be everything ::

In any business, it's really hard to also be the accountant, the scheduler, and the creative brains behind the ideas.  When you are a stay-at-home mom too, it's even harder.  Learn to delegate, rely on experts, and ask for help.

:: Know your brand :: 

Find your niche, your specialty, your perspective and stay true to it.  Amy Atlas has built an entire career around dessert bars because nothing existed in the market before she came along and she has stayed true to her concept and kept it perfect.