Set Yourself Up for Success!

Last month I shared the angst and exhilaration that go into the decision to start a business. If you've made the decision to start your own holistic business, congratulations!

As you start, or continue, down the path to entrepreneurial bliss, here are a few strategies for success gleaned from my, and my clients', successes:

• Know who your ideal clients are, what their concerns are, and where to find them.
• Articulate the specific benefits your product or service will provide to your ideal client.
• Be prepared to spend a significant amount of time marketing while your business is new.
• Network with other business people who offer you a win-win relationship.
• Seek out support to do tasks you don't want to do or can't do as well as someone else. (For me it's my editor and my webmaster; I'd be hurtin' without them!)
• Identify what you don't know about running a business, and fill those gaps.
• Invest in the services of a mentor coach to move you forward quicker and easier than working alone.
• Say no to obligations that may be robbing you of precious time.
• Take a realistic look at your budget. What financial resources do you have, and what are you willing to use while you are getting started?
• Consider working part time at your current job while you build your business.
• Learn basic business skills. Check out your community college and Small Business Development Center for details.
• Make a list of the pros and cons of keeping your day job, of working part time, and of working at your new business full time. Write it down!
• Before you launch your business, build a network that provides financial support, emotional support, and spiritual support.
• Purchase only the basic office equipment to begin with. You can always add on and upgrade later.
• Invest in training and certification that will bolster your confidence and increase your expertise in the eyes of your clients.
• Keep a positive focus by reading or listening to your favorite authors/speakers. A few of mine are Wayne Dyer, Sonia Choquette, Colin Tipping, Abraham, Mike Dooley, and Marianne Williamson.
• What you focus on expands - surround yourself with supportive and nonjudgmental friends and avoid naysayers.

As I prepare to enter my fourth year in business (woo-hoo!) I invite you to share how a tip or suggestion from my archive of articles enhanced your holistic practice.

I'd love to hear what topics inspired you to grow and improve your business. Submit your entry, including your website and photo, by March 20th, and I'll include you in my April 2008 e-zine.

Your success story will ideally be three to five short sentences and describe specific successes that have resulted from articles in my business building archive.

I'm already accepting submissions so send yours to ANewLeafCoaching@earthlink.net and join in the celebration!

There's never been a better time to invest in individual coaching for your professional and personal goals!

As a 1-on-1 client you will have access to all of my teleclasses, assessments and products at no additional charge!

That means you'll attend the Holistic Business Building TeleClass (a $297 value), complete a Synchronicity Mirror Kit (a $125 value), and a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (a $47 value), all at no additional charge!

This is a premium service available exclusively to my 1-on-1 clients!

If you're ready for "high-touch", custom results and growth, call or complete this contact form today and let's discuss how coaching can take where you want to go quicker and easier than working alone.

I hope you will enjoy this insightful article about Holistic Leadership, written by Chris Edgelow of Sundance Consulting Inc.

I first met Chris when I was trained and qualified to teach Guiding Organizational Change, while serving as a training specialist for USDA.

I believe we all serve in leadership positions whether at home, at work, in our community or with our families. I hope you will find Chris's article on Holistic Leadership to be of interest.