I am a successful business owner! Sometimes I have to say it out loud and pinch myself. Never in a thousand years would I have thought I would own my own business. Honestly, entrepreneurship was NOT in my plan. Why did I choose this road? Well, it chose me. Seriously, that’s the only logical reason I can come up with. LOL! 5x Environmental (google it…help my SEO) birthed! And it has been a road. I told y’all 2019 was a learning year, right. I mean in every area of my life. Sis was learning, and Sis is ME! 

When you deiced to go into business, you have to be ready to hit the ground running. Track star style. The saying your Network is your Net worth is so true! In my field, you honestly don’t see many chocolate stars. When I go to certain functions and introduce myself, I get the stares like really…THAT’S THE BUSINESSS YOU HAVE. Yep, I sure do! There are plus and minutes to being in my industry. When getting some minority set asides; however, the big boys have been doing this for a while, so I have to cheer a little harder for my business to be seen. Oh yeah, and to win contracts. Business is going great and I’m excited about the future. Many great things on the horizon why because God is doing a great. 

Now on the flip side, there are things that I wish I would have known before I became a business owner. I am going to caution you; many won’t like what I am going to say but it’s true in my book. Who’s book? MY BOOK!

What the gurus tell you on social media maybe 75% false. Yep, I said it. Stop buying those thousand-dollar courses and you can’t talk to the person who made the course. Don’t PDF your life away. Take it from me. But on the flip side of that, there are things that I did know and I see some of y’all pay money for that you can do for FREEEEE. All you have to do is take the time and research.  So without future ado. Here are some tips if you are looking to start a business.

1. Don’t pay anyone for a tax id/EIN. Irs.gov gives it to you for free in under 10 minutes
2. It’s ok, to do your LLC paperwork yourself. Read and contact your Sec of State
3. Don’t pay thousands of dollars for a website. Get you a one-page site until your business has grown. Save that money. 
   1. You can use elementor and Envato WordPress plugin and bam…website is here!
   2. Once you see that this business opportunity is worth, then invest that money
4. Contact your Small Business Development Center for startup assistance
   1. Most SBDC offer classes for FREEE on all things business
5. Use LinkedIn to connect with people you want to do business with.
6. Don’t be afraid to tell people you are a business owner
7. Speak positively about your business and what you are doing (even if you are having a trying day)
8. Research your guru before you pay thousands of dollars 
9. God and Prayer. It works in everything
10. Understand your business and who your target market is
11. Don’t sleep on Twitter
12. Get from behind your phone and your computer. Meet people and shake hands
13. Slap Fear in the face
14. Need some one-on-one guidance? Book a consultation with me. I’ve been where you are.

I’m cheering for you! You can do this! One day I hope to offer my own mentorship program and pull others up. This road can always use a CO-CO Pilot. God is the Pilot for those who didn’t get that lol