It’s my Anniversary! No, not my wedding anniversary (although that’s coming up in May). April 1st is one year since I untied The Knot, as some friends of mine so eloquently put it. While it’s been a somewhat seamless process, as I’ve still been out speaking, training and writing, it’s been a year that I’ve been doing it now as an independent consultant, speaker and author.
What does that mean to you?
Well, for one thing I’m self-employed like many, if not most of you reading this. It’s not my first time owning and running my own business, but it had been 12 years since I published two WeddingPages magazines. In some ways it was like getting back on the bike after not riding for a long time and in others it was a new experience.
I found myself doing things I wouldn’t have done 11 years ago, including investing in better marketing materials, technology and branding. I did invest in those things back then, but I was more timid about it. Now I find that I’m more bold, more confident and more decisive in my decisions, very much as I advise my clients to do.
The man in the mirror
I told my wife that if I can’t look in the mirror and tell that guy how to start and run a successful business, then I wouldn’t be able to consult with other businesses how to start, run and grow theirs! I like to practice what I preach. You’ve probably heard the old adage about the shoemaker’s kids running around barefoot because the shoemaker was too busy to make them shoes. Well, I don’t buy that philosophy. If I were a shoemaker, my kids would be wearing the most beautiful shoes, so people would stop them and ask where they got those beautiful shoes. That, my friends, is how a marketer thinks.
I hold myself to the highest standards. I recall discussing with my wife, and business partner, whether a particular marketing piece should be printed in Black & White or Color. She reminded me that Black & White marketing pieces don’t reflect our brand image… and she was, and is, 100% correct. Those are our “shoes” and we want you to ask how you can have great looking marketing pieces, as well.
Self-employed or under-employed?
So, am I self-employed, unemployed or under-employed? What about you? Well, if you have more business than you can handle, you’re certainly not under-employed… or are you? Are you making enough money? You may be busy, but that doesn’t mean you’re profitable. You may be working every weekend on weddings and events, but that doesn’t mean you’re saving for your kid’s college or your retirement.
When did you realize that you had a real business? If you’re like many people with a craft or skill (cooking, photography, music, video, calligraphy, etc.), you realized it long after you started charging for your service. I remember one photographer telling me that he realized it was a real business when a reception venue asked him for his insurance certificate. That was his wake-up call; what was yours?
Let’s choose to succeed together
One of the reasons I chose to write my new book “Your Attitude for Success” is to make it clear that I don’t only speak, or write about websites. Another reason was to prove that I’m not a one-book author. It’s hard enough to publish one book, I wanted to surpass that. Yes, I’m already working on book #3 (stay tuned).
So, once again, what does this mean to you? You can choose to succeed, or you can let others make the choice for you not to succeed. It’s up to you. It’s in your reach, you just have to be willing to take control, take responsibility for your success.
I want to help you
Whether you choose to read my book, hire me for coaching/consulting/mentoring or take it on yourself, I want to hear your stories of success. Hearing your stories motivates me to want to help more of you succeed. In every economy, good or bad, there are people starting and running successful businesses. They know how to zig when the economy zags on them. They know how to adapt to an ever-changing marketplace. Are you one of them? I know you can be and I’d be honored to help you.
Of course, whether you want my help, or some self-help, pick up a copy of my books, call or email me for a one-on-one consultation, 732-422-6362.