The great thing about starting a business is that you get to add your personality to it. You don’t have to follow the rules of a traditional corporation. Your business is your baby. You will spend many hours ensuring it grows strong. In this article, I will share a few tips to ensure that you create a business that you will love.
When I was a recruiter, I always spent time discussing the culture of our organization during interviews. It was just as crucial for the candidate to be a cultural fit as it was for them to have the ability to do the job. Most coaches that I encounter have thought enough about their business to decide on a logo, choose colors, all the basics. But they are so busy working, they don’t have much time to truly enjoy their business. That just doesn’t seem right to me. If I’m going to create a business, I don’t want to just work in it; I want to ensure that it’s a business I run to every day. Keep reading and I will share a few things to ensure you create a business that you love.
Envision The Perfect Job
In my early days as a coach, I remember saying, “I want my commute to be the distance between my bedroom and my home office.” I meant every word of that. I had commuted between New York City and New Jersey for several years and had no desire for mornings to be that active again. I also wanted to see nature and hear birds chirping from my window, and most of all, I wanted FLEXIBILITY. That was in 2006. It wasn’t long before I had all of those things.
How much thought have you given to your perfect job? You are creating a business so it may as well be perfect for you right? Most coaches know their why, but not their HOW. What do you really want to do for work? Do you want to coach individuals? Groups? Do you want to speak or write? What about where you work, what should it look like? What kind of people do you want to do business with? Think of everything you want and begin creating that now.
It’s essential not only to do this in your mind, but also to get it down on paper! Do I mean a business plan? Yes, you can do that; however, I like the idea of a vision board even better! Creating a vision board will provide you with the LOOK and FEEL of your perfect job. When I look at past vision boards where I laid out my office, I see that I always wanted color and additional seating, so I’m not stuck at a desk. My green sofa makes a lot of sense right now. I don’t want to be tied to a desk, so other options for places to sit are imperative. Just like your friend’s Instagram post of her latest meal helps you to almost taste it, your vision board will do the same for your perfect job.
DO Mix Business With Pleasure!
Your business should be FUN! I’ve worked in offices that were stuffy, cold, and beige (I MUST have color!!!) Don’t be afraid to let your personality out. Have you ever thought of bringing your interests into your business as a coaching tool? It is very likely that your ideal client is a lot like you, so go ahead and let your creativity shine!
One of my clients is a health coach and an esthetician. She combined her interests by making videos using one ingredient in a food and a skincare recipe (Think blueberry breakfast bar and blueberry mask). I also know a mindset coach who is offering Reiki with an energy reading. Both of these women use their interests to stand out from the crowd. What can you pair together in order to expand your business, enjoy what you do to help yourself get noticed? Speaking of getting noticed…
Make Your Voice Known!
How will you ever get clients if they can’t find you? If I tell coaches anything it’s this: your sheep (clients) will know your voice! So you have to find ways to get your thoughts, opinions and yes, the sound of your voice out there. Here are a few ways to do that.
- Write – anywhere you can. Writing is all about sharing your expertise in a style that is all yours. Some will say that blogging is the way to go. I say write wherever it makes sense for you and your clients. What are your clients most likely to read? Is it a local newspaper? A special interest newsletter, is it an email from you, a local bulletin board? Wherever it is, ensure your voice is out there!
- Video – People love video, and you can put it everywhere. You may be a bit shy in front of the camera, but you will be fine once you practice. Create videos and talk about the same things you would write about. The catch here would be to make your videos short. People don’t typically have time to watch 30 mins of content if they aren’t participating live. Video can go on your website, in an email, on your social media – you can even send it via text. So check your lighting, show your best side, and smile for the camera.
- Audio Recordings – This is one of the avenues I love. This could be a podcast (there are many different software options for this). I’m partial to doing a radio show because your style will shine through loud and clear. For years, I had a monthly radio show with an online Church out of Chicago. The Pastor and I had a ball with this show! If you opt to have an interactive show, you can have people call in and have a micro-coaching session on the spot. There are so many possibilities with this. And most importantly, your voice, your energy, comes across clearly on this type of forum. Your people will remain connected to you once they hear you.
Never Stop Learning
As a service-oriented business owner, there is always something to learn. Whether it’s a new software, a new coaching technique, or even a new way to use an app to market your business, learning is an everyday thing. When you take in new information, it’s as if you are feeding your brain.
Learning does not have to take place in a formal classroom. You can read a book, speak with peers, read trade journals (or the Coach Guardian!) When you do these things, you remain relevant in your field. The more you know, the more confident you are. This can be the distinguishing difference between you and the next coach in your niche.
Don’t think of yourself as one of many coaches in a crowd. Take the time to be deliberate about your business culture. In doing so, you will think of ways to be creative, innovative, and fun, for yourself and your clients. We do serious work, but there is no reason we can’t have an occasional party while doing it. Put on your thinking cap, envision your perfect job, and create a business that you will love.
Kimberly Horvath
Kimberly Horvath has been coaching since 2007. Her passion is helping people discover their Spiritual DNA.
Kimberly Horvath
Kimberly Horvath has been coaching since 2007. Her passion is helping people discover their Spiritual DNA.
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This Post Has One Comment
That was a really nice read! I’m surprised I hadn’t translated the idea of business culture from my day job to my own business. Even if it’s only me, it’s good to set it down in case of future expansion or partnering.