So You Want To Go Into Business For Yourself? Here Are 10 Things You Need to Know

If you are new here you should know that when it comes to my entrepreneurial journey, (read about it Here and Here) I keep it 100 all day every day. So if you are here to learn a few things about what to expect when you chuck up the deuces to the 9-5 life, I got you.

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Purchased this Bag From Forever21. See what Bag pack sunglasses are for sale at THREDUP

But before we get into the meat of this post, let’s pause and give a thanks to Thredup (Use my coupon code LISA to save 40% off of your first purchase HERE) for sponsoring this post. One word every entrepreneur knows is “budget,” so I love shopping for thrifted pieces like the sweater and slacks you’ll see throughout this post.  I snagged both this Banana Republic Sweater and Gap slacks for under  $20 bucks from Thredup.com. Everything comes already dry-cleaned and neatly packed in a box. You have two weeks to return anything you don’t want, AND they also buy clothes. If you’re looking to earn some $$ for your unwanted, but well-kept items click HERE.entrepreneur-advice-thredup-review1

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Here’s What You Need to Know If you Are Going Into Business For Yourself:

  1. You need a plan, but don’t be 100% sold on that plan. Let me explain. Becoming on entrepreneur is a journey, so you will begin in one place and end in another, but your movements won’t be linear. You will begin again and again, and again, and you should know it’s par for the course.  Be flexible.
  2. You need a marketing budget. You will have to advertise your business, which means you’ll want to run ads on facebook, maybe hire someone to manage your social media accounts so you can focus on business, create a website, work with consultants, photographers, web-designers, you name it. You have to spend money to make money. You don’t have to have a million dollar marketing budget, of course, but if you want your business to get off the ground, word-of-mouth won’t cut it. Look at me, for example: I make 100% of my income from online endeavors. How do I do it? I paid for a website, I pay monthly for web-hosting, I work with a professional photographer. I hired a brand consultant. Did I have this money? Not really, but I also didn’t want to go back into 9-5 land.
  3.  You will need have a mailing list. If you have a website for your business, and you should, you need to get the email address of everyone who visits your site. Why? Because how will you get folks to come back? I visit a million sites a day and I usually only revisit sites that have emailed me about new information, products, or sales. If you don’t have a mailing list for your business, and you aren’t regularly emailing folks on that list, you’re not for real for real. entrepreneur-advice-thredup-review4
  4. You need to have money saved. As much as  possible. And cut any and all extra expenses before you begin working for yourself. Get things down to the bare minimum.
  5. You’re gonna be stressed-the-hell-out from time to time. Especially during those crucial moments when you are doubting why you even began.
  6. You need entrepreneur friends. You need people who are doing what you are doing, so that you can bounce ideas off of them and get real feedback. These people are especially important if you cannot afford to hire a consultant. Nobody understands entrepreneurism better than fellow entrepreneurs. I’ve found all of my fellow entrepreneurs, consultants, web-designers, and more in Facebook groups. I’m in several local groups and several broad groups. I do not know if my blog and brand would be here today without my awesome online network of supporters. These friends have also kept me in the loop for paid opportunities, as well.
  7.  You’ll need to network. I’m not big on chatting with strangers, trust me, but networking online and in person is crucial to the survival of your business. Your business cards should be glued to your hand. Walk, talk, breathe your business. entrepreneur-advice-thredup-review6
  8. You’re going to need to set business hours. If not, you’ll end up with sleep difficulties, and if you can’t sleep, you can’t work.
  9. This will be the hardest thing you’ll ever do in your life. Say goodbye to vacations, extra money, shopping when you want. Say goodbye. You will be sacrificing everything for this dream, so you better want it. Otherwise, keep your job.
  10. Speaking of keeping your job, you may need to get a job while you keep the dream alive. For instance, I freelance for other sites to help bring in steady income while I build my brand. It helps to pay some bills, and I do it from home. How did I find these opportunities? Networking in Facebook groups.

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    Purchased these shoes several years ago from Shoedazzle, but head over to Thredup to see their wide selection of heels.

That’s all folks! I do provide occasional consulting sessions from time to time, so if you’re interested in working with me fill out an application HERE and I’ll get back to you if it looks like we’re a match.

Thanks again to Thredup for sponsoring this post. And, as usual, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Watch how I Installed These Crochet Braids

  • All photos were taken by an awesome Boston-based photographer Jessica Marie from JMPimage.com

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14 Comments

  1. Jalisa Harris says:

    I love this. Thank you.

  2. Thank you lisa for your advice

  3. Awesome post will use these tips for my Etsy business

  4. Whitney N. James says:

    YES to all of this! I think a lot of people don’t really get what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Again, great post and such good points.

  5. Well Lisa

    English aint my mothers languish, but I think I understand every single word.
    I m full of ideas and I m thinking to get started after x-mas.

    Thank u for sharing ..awesome

  6. Hi Lisa,

    There are many interesting and informative things to go business in this article and I would like say thanks for for sharing it with us. These are the things which we should know to business very well.

    Business of anythings requires perfect marketing and I highly agree with that, but we need a budget for that. Also having a powerful network may help to grow and spread our business quickly. According to my view, the business hours is necessary to set up it will be best to concentrate in our business. Everything needs a time so we must make a time table for that.

    I definitely agree with your last point that clears that you can’t get the thing which you dream sleeping, the real thing is what that let you don’t sleep.

    Thanks for the information.
    – Ravi.

  7. Very helpful. I will be sharing. Please continue what you are doing. I enjoy your work. Be encouraged.

  8. Just what I needed. Thank you!

  9. Great tips Lisa ??????

  10. SoftSuppleandFierce says:

    You have hit the nail right on the head with this one!! And I can say that I haven’t quit my 9-5 yet and already feel what you’re talking about. This is awesome advice and makes me realize that I want this more now than I have before. Thanks luv! As always you kept it ?!!

  11. Thank you, this is great, timely information, AWESOMENESS!!!

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