I was asked to speak with students who were about to graduate and take the steps as they embark on their career. In my curiosity to find out how to deal with their needs, I followed up with the enquiry to ascertain the major challenges they face as I spoke on the topic of Burst The Fear. I took the opportunity to share my own personal journey in the hopes that the graduating class would gain some inspiration of my own fears and how I countered them. Sky Dive anyone?
Here I share the top 10 challenges as gleaned and brief insights on how students and graduates can address them.
1.Lack of Money For Tuition
Lack of money is a common concern for students and graduates who wish to pursue further studies. There are many opportunities to combat this…
Mom, in your shadow is where I choose to be. I reflect on how much you sacrificed, how much you cared. I used to hate those calls which came sporadically. Calls that seemed to come at the wrong time… when I’m in a meeting, or at a function, or just plain busy with work. Yet all you wanted was just to say hello, I’m thinking of you.
Years later when you became sick, restricted by the pains and incapacitation of physical movements brought on by a stroke, I longed for those calls. I longed just to hear you say hello…, but it was hard for you. All I had was the look in your eyes which said, I still love you my child. I still care. I returned the love and care with more force than I ever could. This warmed your heart and brought the sparkle in your eyes. You were happy…
If you’re one of the many millions of people hoping to start a new business this year, congratulations. This is a journey that you will never forget. There are many twists and turns down the path toward entrepreneurship, and your actions now can make it a much smoother process in the days ahead. Today, the Success Strategies blog touches on a few things that all aspiring entrepreneurs should do when starting a business in 2022.
1. Evaluate Yourself
First and foremost, you have to evaluate yourself. Do you really have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? According to Alcor Investment Services, entrepreneurs don’t procrastinate and are continually solving problems. If you are the type of person that makes plans and takes action on them, you might be a great candidate for entrepreneurship. In addition to these “soft” skills, you should also be at least somewhat versed in marketing, financial management, and customer service.
2. Decide on a Business Structure
Business structures are not just for major corporations. As a small business owner, you have the right to form your own entity. Doing so now can help legitimize your business. Consider filing as an LLC, which is a limited liability company. There are many advantages here, including lower taxes and reducing the possibility of your personal assets being targeted in case of a serious business flaw. You can use a local attorney or an online formation service, though the latter is much more affordable than the former.
3. Utilize Free Tools and Services
Even when you’re a small business, you must be prepared to break out your wallet (more on the financial commitment later on). However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t get some things without writing a check. You can use Google Docs to collaborate with your employees and customers and you can even find an image size converter online that allows you to upload photos to your website and social media. Although it might seem like a small thing now, fewer pixels in your images will make your site load faster, which can increase the amount of time customers spend on your domain. Search Engine Journal acknowledges slow load speed as the number one reason that people move to a different website.
4. Stay Motivated
As an entrepreneur, you will experience successes and failures. It is during these failures that you must remember to stay motivated and never give up.
5. Understand the Financial Commitment
Starting a business is a huge financial commitment, and many small business owners are unprepared for the sheer number of checks that get written each week. Remember, you have not only your startup cost but also business filing expenses, taxes, payroll, inventory, and more. Although this might sound like a lot, don’t despair. There are plenty of deductions you can take, especially if you use your home as your office. CPA Mark J. Kohler notes that you may even be able to deduct part of your vehicle expenses as a home-based business owner.
6. Strategize
Running your business means prioritizing everything every day. One thing you cannot forget is to pay attention to your customers and the competition to find out what they want. To do this, you will need to do market research and implement a product roadmap when you are ready to launch something new. Use a template (another potentially free online service) that helps you set deadlines and understand where you may have trouble in the process. Having your product launches mapped out ahead of time will help you prioritize and set more reasonable goals.
Launching your own business is one of the best ways to create wealth for yourself and your family. Although it may seem intimidating now, trust that you will soon have the experience to navigate the world of entrepreneurship with your head held high. Remember, no one ever got rich working for someone else, and your fears are the only thing stopping you from mapping out your own path toward success.
About The Author
Nicola Reid is an entrepreneur and small business owner from Texas. She created Business4Today.com to provide access to the resources members of marginalized groups need to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality. Through her site, she hopes to support the growing number of people of color, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community who are taking the leap into small business ownership.
Contactless – Not involving contact. Not requiring touching or interaction between people
Hungry? Order a meal. It’s not a problem, Uber delivers. Need a last minute birthday gift? An outfit to go on the town with your boo? These sure ain’t no problem these days. Amazon delivers, and if you have prime.., that’s even better. You get it in a day!
Smartphone, e-maps, e-mail on the go. Hit the pause button during a movie are things that our little ones can’t fathom living without.
Don’t call me. Text. WhatsApp. Not to mention the gazillion channels on our big screen TVs, yet we still can’t find the right one to watch. Netflix anyone?
Religious? Going to church? Overrated. That’s a thing of the past. Thanks to the pandemic, We meet online. Those old folk shut-ins ain’t got nothing on us.
These days it seems if you drink you can still drive. All you need to do is program your smart car to take you home – driverless… or so you think. I fathom you’re on your own if the cops catch you. And we could go on and on.
Our High Tech World
What has our society come to? Even the Bible has been translated into so many versions that I can hardly recognize John 3:16 anymore. Some versions have totally missed the meaning. But then again who reads the Bible anymore? After all, we are able to listen to all those famous preachers on demand. Who needs to read when we can listen to what they want to share with us. Let them preachers read it and tell us.
Sigh…
We have it all wrong. Our lives need the stillness and quietness that only comes from reading the word and listen to the still small voice. Only then we will be able to hear what’s said to those hurting and in pain. Only then will we be able to perceive what and how the good lord wants us to lead others to him for the peace that only he provides. Only then will we be able to comfort those who mourn. Only then will we be able to rejoice with those who shout with joy unspeakable when their blessings come through.
Going Solo
Our contactless society invites opportunities for :
Solo Sadness
Solo Mourning
Solo Fears
Going solo means no one has to know. But as often said, what’s done in quiet comes to light when those who are sad find themselves overwhelmed. The effects are the sad fruit of suicidal thoughts which become evident. And… before we jump to say that couldn’t happen to me… reflect on the signs of the rich and famous. Those who suffer in silence unable to face it anymore. Travel enthusiast Anthony Bourdain; Comedian Robin Williams; Miss USA Cheslie Kryst are just a few. We join with their loved ones as they still mourn.
Tis sad indeed. Our contactless society feeds aloneness, even in a crowd.
Let’s together do what we can in our small corner to connect with those behind closed doors. And if they won’t answer… that’s when you counter with direct help. Mental illness is a big thing that we can no longer sweep under the carpet and play hush-hush. Contact those trained to help.
Things To Do
Things we can do are:
Shut up and listen.
Pay attention. There is always a sign(s)
Check in on friends who go quiet or missing
Invade their privacy … but do it wisely, quietly and with caution
Be real. A genuine spirit can be felt just like the hypocritical ones
Don’t be afraid to ask “Are you okay?” It sounds simple but it’s the thing to do
Pray. It works. Ask for wisdom, guidance and that spirit of discernment
Here’s hoping this reflection motivates and inspires you to reach out to a friend or loved one today.
How are you coping in our contactless world? Do share. We would love to hear.
Sometimes we need a little clarification about what’s important these days. I pounced upon Denzel’s caution given to a reporter. It intrigued many so I thought I’d share. Read or listen. It’s yours to choose.
If you don’t read the paper you are uninformed. If you do read the paper, you are misinformed. So what do you do? What is the long term effect of too much information? One of the effects is the need to be first, not even to be true anymore. So what responsibility do you have? To tell the truth. Not just to be first. We live in a society now where its just first. Who cares? Get it out there. We don’t care who it hurts. We don’t care who we destroy. Just say it. Sell it. Anything you practice, you’ll get good at…including b.s. ~Denzel Washington
Women’s History Month Celebration at the island Space Museum. Guest Speaker Dr. Solanges Vivens CAribbean American Heritage Award (CARAH) Winner for Outstanding Entrepreneurship will be featured.
As fellow Author and CARAH Partner, It’s my delight to moderate the event. Dr Viven’s book Girls Can Move Mountain, will be featured.
Life ends when you stop dreaming, hope ends when you stop believing and love ends when you stop caring
Unknown
When everything stops, or should I say…when everything should stop. More than a decade ago I lost my grandmother-the matriarch of our family. Cancer had returned in her three score and ten years. It didn’t stop her from being who she was…the be-all-and-end-all of our lives. But then one day the bank manager where I worked called me into her office, sat me down and told me the hospital had called. My grandmother was gone.
Perturbed, I looked around. Customers were still in the bank walking around doing their daily business. I could not understand. For me everything had stopped.
I reflect on what’s happening around the world. Threats and bombs going off explosively. Yet elsewhere, people go about their business as usual, posting on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms. It begs the question…is there a bridge? Do we care? Yep, many really do care. Benevolence saturates the heart and for sure, with gas prices skyrocketing, the world will start feeling the effects.
So let’s not give up hope because fear stops life and love ends when we stop caring.
From Tanzania, Jamaica, and across the United States, 6 powerful women in reggae shared their thoughts on women singing, songwriting and the associated struggles of survival in a predominantly male role.
It was a such joy to cohost the event with artistes Marcia Griffiths, Carlene Davis, Jah9, Naomi Cowan, and Etana as we celebrated the occasion of VP Records Miss Pat’s new book. Thanks Dr. Claire Nelson, white-house champion of change and Founder of the Institute of CAribbean Studies, Washington DC
Writing is usually done in a private space… as in a cave all by ourselves. We tell no one unless we choose to share with those close. Oft it can even be top secret or shouted from the mountain top as happens when some celebrities write. It’s entirely up to you.
It’s Your Prerogative
Writers commit a month, a year, 2, 3 or more to their Writing process. It’s your prerogative. It all depends on you. No need to attend a retreat, until or unless you’re ready and you can always remain silent in the background listening to others speak. At a writers Retreat, some talk. Some don’t.
Spend time doing what you want to do before, during and after the retreat.
Why Bother?
People approach me to share my knowledge and (writing) experience with them. That’s the whole point of doing a Retreat. Facilitators or Hosts often incur…
A career is an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person’s life and with opportunities for progress. For example, a child who goes into the family lineage of what they do…lawyer becomes lawyer, doctor becomes doctor, business owner hands down business to the child/children.
A vocation is a divine call to the religious life. Or a strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation. For example, a physician who feels led to heal.
Advice
What advice would you give to someone who see themselves as having a vocation so that the work they do is part of who they are?
Sometimes a vocation and a career can be intertwined. Diving deeper, a careerist can remain in the same career for many years but enjoy…
I pounced upon the study of Success by accident. I did so through pondering why some people succeed while others don’t. Then I took it a step further and delved deeper selecting it for my dissertation research on Successful leaders. My aim was to share it with those who seem to be living without hope.
That said, success is no Oversight. It is a result of hard work and dedication. Below I have selected 12 Quotes that provide some Exposure and motivation for those of us who dare to take the steps to succeed.
12 Success Quotes
1.Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what? Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident, and more and more successful…
