Article - 5 Sacrifices Every Entrepreneur Must Make

Being an entrepreneur, regardless of what type of business you decide to endeavor, is a challenge.  Rewarding, yes.  Easy, no.  As entrepreneurs, it is more than fulfilling, more than exciting, to see your dreams come to fruition.  Getting your tax ID, your DBA, your website, etc.  But after you have everything set and in place, it's time to make money, get clients, and generate revenue.

When this does not happen overnight, it can be devastating, but giving up is not an option for most.  In this article, "5 Sacrifices Every Entrepreneur Must Make," by Jayson DeMers, posted on Entrepreneur.com, the author discusses five sacrifices that I feel are very important to keep in mind on your entrepreneurial journey.

"Every entrepreneur starts out with big dreams and excitement.  As an entrepreneur, you control your own destiny, and with the right ideas, the right skillset and unflinching dedication, you can build wealth or establish an enterprise to serve as your legacy" (DeMers).

1. Stability
2. Work/life split
3. Income
4. Sleep
5. Comfort

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Article - 6 Financial Mistakes Small Businesses Make All the Time

As a small business owner, how many of the 6 financial mistakes listed in this article are you guilty of?  In "6 Financial Mistakes Small Businesses Make All the Time," posted on Entrepreneur.com, the author Laura Entis gives us a list of common financial mistakes that small businesses make.

From my observation, the first mistake, "Overpaying Their Taxes," is the most common.  This can be rectified with good organization skills, good documentation, and of course a very good tax accountant would also help.

Per the article, "Too often though, small businesses make a variety of financial mistakes that allow their hard-earned money to leak away.  For example, 21 percent of small-business owners say they claim less than half of their business expenses, which means they are dramatically overpaying their taxes.  A large reason for this is the tendency not to claim small figures, which is a mistake:  Even $5 expense claims can add up, so get in the habit of saving your receipts."

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Article - How Smart People Deal With People They Don’t Like

I ran across this article, "How Smart People Deal With People They Don't Like," by David K. William (the title alone speaks volumes) on Lifehack.org, and after reading I concur with the author's eight guides on how to deal with those you have opposition with.

As the article states, it would be nice to get along with everyone, but we know that is not possible.  There may be situations where you can avoid those that are not favorable in your eyes, however, that's not always the case in business.  Which is why I feel this article is a must read.

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Make Your Job Work For You!

Check out this great advice from Michael Baisden on starting your own business while you are still receiving a paycheck.

Michael Baisden Commentary: Make Your Job Work For You!

Why do people wait until they’re fired before they try to start their own business? The smart move is to take risk while you still have a steady paycheck and access to the resources of your job for networking.

When I worked for Chicago Transit 20 years ago driving trains, I had my passengers proofreading and editing my books. And I would bring books on the train for sale. My attitude was, “If I have to come to this freakin job I’m going to make it work for me!” Yes, I’m a hustler!

It’s not enough to scream, “I hate my job!” Or to be annoyed by your co-workers who seem to live in the Matrix. You have to do something about it. There’s nothing more frustrating than hearing someone bitching about their job but never leave.

Starting today you must decide to make your move while you’re still employed. In other words, do what’s hard while things are easy. Otherwise, you’ll end up doing what’s hard while things are at their worse and we know how that turns out, right? ~ Michael Baisden


Click here for more information on Michael Baisden and to visit his Facebook page

Article - 4 Smart Relationships That Will Accelerate Your Small Business' Success

Check out this article from Score.org, 4 Smart Relationships That Will Accelerate Your Small Business' Success by Fran Tarkenton.  The article points out four relationships that small business owners, as well as entrepreneurs, should develop to help their businesses thrive.

Here's an outline of the four relationships the article discusses, but don't miss out on the details!  Click the link below to read the entire article.

1.  A Successful Entrepreneur
2.  Someone With a Different Skill Set
3.  Local Business Owners
4.  People in Your Industry

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Article - Tips for Entrepreneurs

Being an entrepreneur means it is all on you, the "it" being everything from customer service to managing finances, to networking to landing the deal.  It is no surprise that sometimes important tasks may go "un-tasked," trying to manage so many responsibilities.

Yet, staying on top of everything is a must for entrepreneurs.  Which is why the article, "Tips for Entrepreneurs," is a must read for advice on how to stay on track, with topics on reaching out to your network, giving back, never stop being a student, and customer experience management.  The article also provides helpful links on each topic.

"As an entrepreneur every now and then it is important to take a step back and really take a look at the big picture and dive back in with refreshed energy. Here are a few points to revisit and reevaluate after you get up and running."

"Tips for Entrepreneurs" by Mariama Bramble, posted on SBA.gov

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Article - 8 Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read in 2015

Check out this article, 8 Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read in 2015, from Entrepreneur.com, Jess Boss, Contributor.

Here's a sneak peek at the first two books on the list.

1. The Startup Playbook: Secrets of the Fastest-Growing Startups From Their Founding Entrepreneurs by David Kidder

"The title says it all.  If you're looking for a wide array of lessons learned and entrepreneurial experiences, this book is for you.  Sharing insights from 41 different founders, The Startup Playbook covers everything from leadership lessons to finding one's niche."

2. Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull

"This book is a must read for any business leader, not just the entrepreneur.  It is filled with valuable insights about what creates, drives and sustains an innovative culture and compels a company to attempt what no other company has done.  Remarkable lessons that only a CEO would know."

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