National Small Business Week  

Posted on by mjscmb
May 1 – 7, 2022

About Small Businesses – I know Cinco de Mayo is celebrated this week, but the most impactful celebration is about small businesses.  I spent a career with the Government where I worked with both large and small businesses.  Now I mentor small business owners and those who want to offer their brand while becoming the next entrepreneur.  Any day that you drive from point A to point B, just look around and notice how many small businesses there are.  How many times have you wanted to just run into an establishment and talk to someone who knows everything in their place?  What about when you wanted to look for that unique, creative, and innovative product or service?  They still exist, despite the pandemic.  Unfortunately, many have had to move on-line to survive.  They must rethink their marketing and maybe they will have more customers, but they may also have fewer in the beginning, because now in a sense they are starting over.   Small businesses bring on innovation and are a major force for a growing economy.  I love “Pitch Days” where a person or group of persons is eager to show you a product or service that will bring benefit to many.  They just need support; with capital and people e.g., partnering.  Many large businesses owe their successes to small businesses they bought and now grow. 

For Small Businesses – Learn ways to grow your business and become a known leader. The following points presume you have a well-defined Business Plan.  You may have completed your analysis and planning, or you may have overlooked some details.  Do you refocus or pivot?   

  • Build a customer base by providing content through social media followers 
    • Provide content consistently to turn connections to clients
    • Qualify connections to increase genuine engagement
  • Activate features that give your brand visibility and a voice
  • Understand the ins and outs of your business credit card; rate offered from your credit card processor; how to save money and how much you pay for processing
  • Strategic planning must cover short and long-term goals.  Forecast 12-months for expenditures, e.g., payroll, minimal staffing, supplies, data management, legal 
  • Review popular design tools & resources to help you build engaging content and marketing campaigns
  • Small Business Support can be found on LinkedIn, provided by Small Business Administration, and Regional SCORE Chapters including volunteer Mentors and free workshops
  • NerdWallet shares resources and analysis on loans, tips for small businesses, human resources software
  • How is your cash flow?  This is the make-or-break point for most small businesses. 
  • Having a financial planner is a must
  • Grow your brand through innovation and hire tech savvy people if you aren’t one.
  • Partner two brands with a business that shares your values of quality products and exceptional customer service.
  • What are you using for capital; do you know what venture capital funding can do for you?
  • Look for grants and Pitch competitions. Think local and federal government as well as universities.

The roles for women leaders are increasing.  As a small business owner and subject matter expert, you are in control.  

 Let’s support small businesses not just the first week in May but all year long.

FREEMIUM – Listen to E.X.E.C.U.T.I.V.E. Skills tips to help you create or expand financial opportunities:

E.X.E.C.U.T.I.V.E. Skills for Women Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/divas-diamonds-dollars-earn-more-be-more-live-more/id1558641905#episodeGuid=ebac65c2-fce8-4a5c-aa1f-e63e41eb6b8d

#Small Business #Leadership #National Small Business Week # Financial 

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