In my experience, there’s really only one main reason businesses fail—they don’t treat their business like a business! Of course, many factors come into play when building and maintaining a business, but this one is key.
Whether you’re an Independent Contractor or running a Small Business, you need to create processes and procedures for everything you do. Establish solid relationships, keep track of your finances, and so on.
I don’t know any successful businesses that didn’t face challenges along the way, but the ones that thrive are the ones that weathered the storms, adapted when needed, and treated their business like a real business.
Now, I’m going to share some of my top tips for getting started in any business.
START WITH THE BASICS
When I opened my real estate business, it was a moment of immense pride for me. I had poured countless hours into setting up the LLC, deciding on the company name, designing the logo, choosing the colors—you name it. After all that work, I was finally ready to launch.
I decided I wanted a physical office. Even though my business could easily be run remotely, and there wasn’t really a pressing need for a brick-and-mortar space at the time, it was important to me to have a place where clients could walk in and feel welcomed.
I didn’t need anything extravagant, so I started small. I found a building with office space below and a loft above. To make it happen, I sold my big house and used the equity to fund my new venture. I went from 2,200 square feet to 400 square feet of loft space. I went back to basics. You don’t have to take things this far, but you do need a dedicated workspace. Whether it’s a desk in the corner of your living room, a rented space, or a larger office—you need a spot where you can focus and run your business.
Email:
You’ll need to set up a professional email account, and for that, you’ll need a computer, tablet, or smartphone. While it’s possible to run a business from just a phone, I’d recommend getting a laptop at minimum.
Your email should be professional—keep it simple. No numbers or gimmicks.
What to do:
What NOT to do:
I recommend using Gmail, though any email provider will work. Once you have your domain set up, link it to your email for a more professional look. For example, my current email is brandy@mpptx.com. (The domain mpptx.com directs to our website, Milestone Premier Properties. I shortened the domain to make it easier for people to remember and write down.)
Online Presence:
Having an online presence is essential. You can build and tweak it over time, but at a minimum, you’ll need the following:
- Google My Business:
This is one of the reasons I love Gmail—it integrates with Google My Business. Even if you don’t have a physical location, you can still set up a business profile to establish credibility. - Website:
Your website doesn’t need to be fancy at first. I’ve redesigned mine several times since launching. You can start with a simple landing page that outlines your services and includes contact info. This boosts your credibility and gives potential clients a place to learn more about you and what you offer. - Social Media:
Create at least one social account—whether it’s a Facebook Business Page, Instagram, LinkedIn, or another platform that suits your business. Start posting regularly to build your following. Social media is a free tool you can use to connect with potential clients, share what you do, and build trust.
Remember, people typically do business with those they know, like, and trust—or with someone they know, like, and trust who knows, likes, and trusts you. So, get to it!
STAND OUT
Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to focus on your niche and figure out how to set yourself apart from the competition. This may not come right away, but over time, you’ll start to identify a gap in the market that you can fill. Trust me—there’s always a gap, no matter what industry you’re in. The key is finding it. No one else can offer what you do, so embrace your uniqueness. Be bold, take risks, and don’t shy away from standing out.
When I started my business, I didn’t have a clear plan for how I’d differentiate myself, but I threw myself into it. I wasn’t afraid to put myself out there, have conversations, and embrace the “fake it ’til you make it” mindset.
One of the first things you should invest in is a professional headshot. It might seem small, but a great photo goes a long way in establishing credibility and trust. Your headshot is often the first impression potential clients get of you, so make sure it reflects the professional image you want to project. A well-lit, high-quality photo can make all the difference in how people perceive you, and it’s a great addition to your website, social media, and marketing materials. By the way, AI offers some amazing tools for creating professional headshots. You don’t have to break the bank to get a high-quality result. Don’t skip this step—your image is important!
DEFINE YOUR PROCESS
I can’t stress this enough—the foundation of a successful business is defining your processes and procedures. Without clear, well-structured processes, you won’t be able to reach your full potential. Even after years of experience, I’m still constantly refining and improving ours.
As your business grows, getting paid for your services becomes a priority. How will you manage payments? What system will you use to track income? If you hire an assistant, what roles and responsibilities will they have? How will they communicate with clients, and what should they say when customers call asking for you?
Every aspect of your business needs a process, and each process needs clear procedures to guide it. This is something that evolves over time and should always be evaluated and improved.
If you’re unsure where to start, consider hiring a coach, or reach out to someone in your industry who’s already doing it well. Offer to buy them lunch and pick their brain. There are countless resources online—spreadsheets, templates, and process ideas are all just a quick search away.
Start by outlining your processes and then fill in the details as you go.
It wasn’t until I had been running my own business for six years that I discovered the EOS system. Once you’ve got the fundamentals in place and a few team members onboard, it’s time to implement an operating system that aligns your goals with your vision. I’ll be sharing more about my EOS journey in upcoming posts—stay tuned!
There you have it—my top tips for getting started. Sounds simple, right? Too often, people complicate things when, in reality, the key is mastering the basics and building from there.
You’ve got this. Now go make it happen!
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