ALL SO SWEET, LLC                       A Different Kind of Experience

As an entrepreneur, we are often bombarded with things to do to keep our business on the radar. Many of us are charged with contacting people about are products and/or service, managing our email campaign, staying connected on Facebook, marketing our business, attending networking events, taking inventory of our products, planning events, promoting events, seeking business engagements and taking care of our personal life and children. There are only 24-hours in a day and usually ONE person running the business.

When we first start out, we are excited and eager to see a PROFIT. We have all types of high hopes and dreams of replacing our 9-5 and enjoying financial freedom. We make all types of plans with how we are going to invest our money and expand our business. After all the smoke clears and our vision becomes clear, reality begins to set in. We start to view our business operation from a different prospective. We start to get frustrated with the lack of sales and revenue. We begin to make emotional decisions in an effort to MAKE MONEY. 

The idea of failing invades our thoughts every now and then, telling us to put the business on hold and focus on our family and our 9-5. Many of us refuse to give in and we add more tasks on our "To Do List" feeling like we are not doing enough. This is when the problem starts. This is when we begin to lose focus. How do you add more tasks onto an incomplete list? I am sure we are all guilty of this.

Here are two SIMPLE TIPS:

• Do everything one thing at a time. Create a list and work your it to completion.  Do not bounce around on your task. It is important to focus on one project and master the project before moving onto the next. If your task is to gain new clients, set a target number and engage in conversation with potential clients. If you are met with opposition, do not run away. ASK "What would it take to turn your No into a YES?"
•  Give each item on your list a time frame for completion. Do not get into the habit of thinking you have unlimited time to get the task done. This thought process is a sign of procrastination. Be realistic with your time frames. If you are simply adding business contacts to your email campaign, this should not take more than 2-days to complete. If you are focusing on getting two, new paying clients, give yourself a week or two to accomplish this goal. 

In order to stay on task and focused on your business success, you have to be disciplined. It may require the use of a mentor or a coach to get you in the right state of mind.  You waste more time and energy chasing your tail then you would being led by someone who sees the path clearly. 

For a free consultation on how you can attract more paying customers, contact Shonna Hassett at (609) 269-INFO or visit www.allsosweet.com.

Here you are with a new business. You have a stack of business cards, some samples of your products and/or information outlining your service. You are motivated and excited to enter the entrepreneurial world to "Show'em What You Got!" You feel confident and are ready to meet new people. You enter the room filled with other small business owners and entrepreneurs. Everyone appears to be having a great time and exchanging business cards at alarming rates. There is only one problem. YOUR CONCEPT IS ALL WRONG!

Networking is not designed to pass out all your business cards and obtain a business card from everyone in the room. Just what do you propose to do with all the cards you receive? Do you plan on adding them to your newsletter campaign or marketing mailing list? If so, have you acquired their permission?  Networking is not who can talk the most about themselves. It is not about collecting everyone's business card with no intention of calling them or using their service. It's not about spamming people with your product or service numerous times throughout the day and week. It is about BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS.

I have (3) suggestions to help you WIN PEOPLE over through networking. If this is of interest to you, continue reading. I am sure you will find the information helpful to you and your business. Don't be an annoying person at a networking event, be the EXTRAORDINARY one!

• Transparency

Become transparent. Take every opportunity to allow people to get to know who you are. This does not mean having diarrhea of the mouth. Everyone doesn't have to know you were just released from prison and are working to get back on track. Everyone does not have to know you have four kids and their fathers don't help out with money. Be yourself but have tact. It's okay to talk about some struggles you have experienced. It is okay to talk about your experience in the corporate world. It's okay to talk about your character as a caring person. BE TRANSPARENT.

• Likable

People have to like you as a person. Your outward appearance and ability to effectively communicate will determine how likable you are. Be motivating and captivating. Be approachable. Be available to go the extra mile. Treat people with respect and kindness. If you offended someone, be the first to apologize. Do not entertain gossip and negative conversation. Help people to see you are a person to have in their network. Dress the part and play the part. Be sure to fit in but stand out. Dare to be different!

• Trust

Would you conduct business with someone you do not trust? Would you give them your money if you did not trust them? Would you give your personal information to someone you do not trust? You probably answered no to each question. Learn to be accountable and responsible.Follow through on your word. Deliver quality products and service. Be open and have a conversation with those in your network. Ask them about their business. Ask them about their opinion and experience as it relates to your business. If you make a mistake, admit it and make it right. Become the person they depend on not the person they watch like a hawk. Trust is the cornerstone of every relationship. Without trust there is no growth.




As I leave you with this information, I hope you can begin to process and apply it to your daily business life. If you are transparent, likable and trustworthy, people will gravitate to you and you will be become a client magnet. Everyone likes to buy but they HATE to be sold. Let your reputation sell for you.

A problem I notice within the Entrepreneurial world is a simple observation that very few entrepreneurs have a niche market. It is inevitable to have repeat businesses, meaning more than one person conducting the same type of business in a given area. Often times, entrepreneurs feel threatened by this occurrence and view everyone as their competition. Yes, you will have competition within the same market but this doesn't mean you cannot beat the odds and be successful.

Let's put jewelry vendors in the spotlight for a moment. Most of us who are in the "Vendor's World" know, you will get more jewelry vendors then any other type of vendor, true? If you fall in this category, knowing your niche market can and will be helpful for you. 

You can decide to sell jewelry that consists of birthstones or maybe you can sell jewelry that is inspired by animals (cat pendants, chains, charms, etc...). Whatever jewelry you sell, be sure to sell something different than your competition. Know what people are compelled to buy. Zodiac jewelry, Birthstone Jewelry, Bling-Bling, pearls, etc....

After you have identified what appeals to the masses, build on this niche. Find different types of jewelry within your niche market i.e. chokers, long chains, interchangeable jewelry, matching sets, etc... Find your niche and stick to it. As you build, you will begin to expand to different areas.

This same concept can be applied to many other businesses even if you are a tax preparer. If most offices close 9 months out of the year, find a reason to stay open at least 10 months out of the year. If the other tax preparers are preparing simple taxes, build your niche on business taxes and chose your genre (corporate businesses, small businesses, entrepreneurs, government, etc...) Find something different and make it work for you!

I have always looked for ways to describe what it is I do. It has been very easy for me to provide my mission statement for my business because, after all, I developed it. On a drop of a dime, I can recite, "Our Mission is to educate, train and develop new and emerging entrepreneurs." This is only a way to quickly sum up my focus. What I do is much, much greater. I am what many will call a "Social Entrepreneur."

So, what is a Social Entrepreneur? A social entrepreneur is a change agent for society. We investigate what is not working within the system and we solve the problem. In doing so, we spread the solution by multiple means and work to help others take new leaps and measures to initiate global change.

Let me break this down for you in simple terms! My vision is not centered around my own quest for financial freedom. Although financial freedom is a goal, it is not my primary focus. My vision is to change the way disenfranchised populations view their relationship with money. Many of us, who have been raised in low to moderate income households, seem to have dreams of being rich but, too, many of us don't take the risk to make this happen. We are always waiting for a "handout" and we have become obsessed with titles that belong to companies we don't own. For example. Supervisor, Manager, Director, Coordinator and Case Manager, to name a few.

If you have a talent or skill, you should take advantage of living out your dream without fear and excuses. For this very reason, the rich is getting richer and the poor is getting poorer. Fear has been a main character in stealing the dreams of many people. This has been a serious problem in our society and because of this, I am determined to help as many people as possible recognize their full potential, look fear in the face and take a risk. It's not about selling you a product, it's about unlimited opportunities to live out your dream.

Let's take a honest look at what's happening with many entrepreneurs. They are not investing in themselves. When you think about it, almost every successful person has had a coach or mentor. Coaching can be expensive if you are counting your dollars every step of the way. Coaching is actually an investment if the right coach is hired! I am sure most have entered into business ventures that yield no return on their investment. Money lost and not invested is a sad state of affairs!

Before you respond to negative or bad feedback on your social media sites, consider allowing a reasonable about of time to past in order for you to gather your thoughts. Often times, we allow our emotions to dominate and control our actions. If we see something hurtful, our normal reaction is to respond almost immediately. This is not always the best thing to do.

As a Business Management Consultant and a Licensed Therapist, I coach my clients about the benefits of allowing time to past prior to "acting out." It is my belief that those who post negative comments are usually indirectly communicating and expecting a response OR they may be "going through something" and their emotion has nothing to do with you.

Allowing time to past gives you an opportunity to be diplomatic and "save face." After all, you have a business to run and a reputation to uphold!

Many Entrepreneurs confuse what is meant by the word "Business Owner." They get an idea, register a business name and start ordering business cards, websites, brochures and other items used to brand and market their business. Often times, they do not balance their books or realize their expenses are outweighing their revenue. If money is not coming into the business or if people do not pay you for your product or service, then it may be a hobby you are managing; not a business.

Taking time necessary to invest in yourself and in your business is an essential element for success. Spend time developing, editing and working your business plan. Get a business coach, take educational seminars related to running a business and stay the course. It is not necessary to reinvent the wheel. Get connected, learn and grow your business!

Starting a new business or business venture is not as easy as one may think. There are many ups and downs, winding roads and inclement seasons. In the beginning, you may question your ability to be successful and may change your product or service frequently. Often times, this is a result of other people's thoughts, opinions and the emotional impact of rejection.

When venturing out into the world of Entrepreneurship, it is important to always remember "success is about how much rejection you are able and willing to eat!"

"You can get what you want in life if you help people get what they want."
Empower, Train and Develop Successful Entrepreneurs.