Do your homework by learning everything you need to know oh how to run your business effectively and efficiently yourself! I no longer wanted others to hold the cards when it came to my future in this business I love soo much. It's an uneasy feeling when your fate rest in other people's hands. I got tired of not being in control of what I loved doing so I parted ways and took 4 years off to learn everything from the technical aspect of radio servers, audio interfaces, etc. And this is coming from a man who had limited finances to pay out. My first step was the look and brand of my company. So from there I invested in Photoshop for my graphics. Broadcasting school taught me about advertising, and marketing my network online. And last but not least I learned web design and hosting. 4 long years later, I now hold all of the cards to my future and what direction I want to take it in. I went from just being Capt Kirk. To Capt Kirk, Scotty, And everything in between! Learn everything you need to know about your business from the inside out. Not only will you be in control of your future, You don't have to come out of pocket to pay someone else for their services. Especially if you can't afford to hire someone. The only thing I pay outside of my business is Vistaprint! Of course somethings you still have to pay out. But it you can help it, Limit your outside cost as much as possible.
I’ve been an entrepreneur since starting my first business in 1969. As a ‘life long learner’ acquiring 2 Masters and a PhD along the way, blended with several amazing business partners and mentors I attribute my successes to acommitment to tenacity and hard work. Some key lessons learned:
1. Be a great listener- talk less, listen more.
2. Ask your Customer “How can I help you? How may I serve you? Then follow and do #1
I am a former teacher, so I believe I should always have a teachable spirit. Starting a business, owning the business, and running the business is truly rewarding and I am glad I followed my heart.
I needed help, guidance, and mentoring concerning starting a business, owning the business, and running the business. I am very thankful to Jax Bridges, a free business program with the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. They are very selective with choosing applicants for the 6month program. Start local with mentors, classes, networking, and always have a teachable spirit.
Remember:
Surround Yourself With Individuals That Will Throw Water On The Fire Of Your Fears And Gasoline On The Passions Of Your Dreams! #Ten23Designs
I began as self taught. When I found out how much I loved doing graphic design and photography I went back to school. Video finally came affordable - $100k for cameras etc were a bit out of reach, until video cameras became more mainstream. So, I decided to go back to school again and got my bachelors in video production. Love every minute of it!
In the field of ministry and spiritual counseling, life has been my best teacher! All that I ever experienced, including near-death, has taught me greater compassion, which empowers me to help others. And yes, I also have the necessary academical and business background, but that plays only a supportive role to life's lessons.
Business from Austin, TX
Answered on Feb 26th, 2018
I have to agree with Alan that trial and error are almost always the best way to hone your skills. It's important to be open and never stop learning. I make time to network and listen to owners of other growing businesses talk about how they got where they are, where they want to go next and what they are learning along the way.
When i worked in a chemical plant an was a safety man, union steward , got elected to financial Secretary , then union president, i negotiated contracts, arbitrated cases. All these life experiences helped me in my business , also giving back to the community , is very important. What you take from your community ,you also need to donate back . An it will come back to you, an even if it doesn't, i know personally that i did something good an i'am very glad that i could be of help.
I have to give God the credit because I had no idea I had a creative mind and skills to work with my hands. As I saw an interest in acrylic fabrication, I began to learn from others how to build projects out of acrylic. Going to stores like Macy's and looking at all the merchandise made with acrylic. I found my mind began to figure out how those products were made and going back to my shop and duplicated what I saw. That was the beginning of a great adventure in the field of design and fabrication of acrylic.
After opening 4 hotels, 3 in Toronto, and 1 in Kingston, right from the ground up, it is amazing what you learn, from sales, marketing, public relations, management leadership, from zero clients to sales in the millions. It's not until you depart the corporate world, and open one's business that you really experience and appreciate all that you have learned, and the learning continues (which I love, never become complacent about your business or your personal self development)...being an Entrepreneur is not for everyone, there is a certain drive and lots of energy, and vision and dropping the FEAR...passion isn't enough...surround yourself with like minded individuals, learn from their experiences, share, don't be afraid to share your challenges, failures, what you learned from them...its an amazing journey, which I am so grateful that I embraced back in 1998 - now 20 years this year. I am celebrating that step I did embrace, because over the 20 years, it has been filled with amazing people, amazing personal and business growth, facing one's own fear, can I do this, of course you can, ...and now giving back and sharing what I have learned with many new opportunities...Gaby Eaton, Executive Director - Co-Founder/Owner - Women Mean Business Professional Network of Eastern Ontario and Event Corporate Conference Planner.
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Answers (1-10)
Trial and Error. The hard way.
Do your homework by learning everything you need to know oh how to run your business effectively and efficiently yourself! I no longer wanted others to hold the cards when it came to my future in this business I love soo much. It's an uneasy feeling when your fate rest in other people's hands. I got tired of not being in control of what I loved doing so I parted ways and took 4 years off to learn everything from the technical aspect of radio servers, audio interfaces, etc. And this is coming from a man who had limited finances to pay out. My first step was the look and brand of my company. So from there I invested in Photoshop for my graphics. Broadcasting school taught me about advertising, and marketing my network online. And last but not least I learned web design and hosting. 4 long years later, I now hold all of the cards to my future and what direction I want to take it in. I went from just being Capt Kirk. To Capt Kirk, Scotty, And everything in between! Learn everything you need to know about your business from the inside out. Not only will you be in control of your future, You don't have to come out of pocket to pay someone else for their services. Especially if you can't afford to hire someone. The only thing I pay outside of my business is Vistaprint! Of course somethings you still have to pay out. But it you can help it, Limit your outside cost as much as possible.
I’ve been an entrepreneur since starting my first business in 1969. As a ‘life long learner’ acquiring 2 Masters and a PhD along the way, blended with several amazing business partners and mentors I attribute my successes to acommitment to tenacity and hard work. Some key lessons learned:
1. Be a great listener- talk less, listen more.
2. Ask your Customer “How can I help you? How may I serve you? Then follow and do #1
3. Express appreciation for your customers.
I am a former teacher, so I believe I should always have a teachable spirit. Starting a business, owning the business, and running the business is truly rewarding and I am glad I followed my heart.
I needed help, guidance, and mentoring concerning starting a business, owning the business, and running the business. I am very thankful to Jax Bridges, a free business program with the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. They are very selective with choosing applicants for the 6month program. Start local with mentors, classes, networking, and always have a teachable spirit.
Remember:
Surround Yourself With Individuals That Will Throw Water On The Fire Of Your Fears And Gasoline On The Passions Of Your Dreams! #Ten23Designs
In the field of ministry and spiritual counseling, life has been my best teacher! All that I ever experienced, including near-death, has taught me greater compassion, which empowers me to help others. And yes, I also have the necessary academical and business background, but that plays only a supportive role to life's lessons.
I have to agree with Alan that trial and error are almost always the best way to hone your skills. It's important to be open and never stop learning. I make time to network and listen to owners of other growing businesses talk about how they got where they are, where they want to go next and what they are learning along the way.
When i worked in a chemical plant an was a safety man, union steward , got elected to financial Secretary , then union president, i negotiated contracts, arbitrated cases. All these life experiences helped me in my business , also giving back to the community , is very important. What you take from your community ,you also need to donate back . An it will come back to you, an even if it doesn't, i know personally that i did something good an i'am very glad that i could be of help.
I have to give God the credit because I had no idea I had a creative mind and skills to work with my hands. As I saw an interest in acrylic fabrication, I began to learn from others how to build projects out of acrylic. Going to stores like Macy's and looking at all the merchandise made with acrylic. I found my mind began to figure out how those products were made and going back to my shop and duplicated what I saw. That was the beginning of a great adventure in the field of design and fabrication of acrylic.
After opening 4 hotels, 3 in Toronto, and 1 in Kingston, right from the ground up, it is amazing what you learn, from sales, marketing, public relations, management leadership, from zero clients to sales in the millions. It's not until you depart the corporate world, and open one's business that you really experience and appreciate all that you have learned, and the learning continues (which I love, never become complacent about your business or your personal self development)...being an Entrepreneur is not for everyone, there is a certain drive and lots of energy, and vision and dropping the FEAR...passion isn't enough...surround yourself with like minded individuals, learn from their experiences, share, don't be afraid to share your challenges, failures, what you learned from them...its an amazing journey, which I am so grateful that I embraced back in 1998 - now 20 years this year. I am celebrating that step I did embrace, because over the 20 years, it has been filled with amazing people, amazing personal and business growth, facing one's own fear, can I do this, of course you can, ...and now giving back and sharing what I have learned with many new opportunities...Gaby Eaton, Executive Director - Co-Founder/Owner - Women Mean Business Professional Network of Eastern Ontario and Event Corporate Conference Planner.