First I would like to talk about the wrong team. The definition of “break, ” as in “break you,” is to separate or cause to separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain. The wrong person on your team can be a blow to your budget, shock to your clients and a strain to the rest of the people on your team. A small business can’t afford to be in separate pieces. It needs to be a fluid, congruent and forward moving entity that picks up speed as it moves into the future. Therefore, it’s important that you do your due diligence when hiring an employee … especially in a small business.

When I first started hiring people for my business, I thought if they could do a good job and work for what I could afford to pay … then that would be all I needed to consider. I found out the hard way you need so much more then that. Put it this way, it was an expensive lesson.

I have a great team at SmartImage Media. How I define a great team member … Can I and the other team members trust them … Do they hold the SmartImage Media values … Are they interesting and fun … Are they committed to our, the business’s, success … Will they go the extra mile … We’re family, can they overcome adversity as well as enjoying the good times. … Does everyone on the team share mutual respect for each other … Oh and yes, are they excellent at what they do? Wanting to be the “best in the world” at brand/identity for small businesses it’s important that our team is the best in the world. I believe our team is!!  As a small business owner, it doesn’t take long to figure out that without an excellent team you won’t get very far in business.

Thank you Vanessa, Tara, Jenn, Brian, Debbie and Malcolm for being the “best in the world” as individuals and team members. I’m honored to know you and work with you!

As I was talking with a new client today, she asked me what would it take to start her new business. I said it’s like giving birth to a baby … it will be painful, but worth it.

I have given birth to two baby boys. Yes, the labor pains were difficult and I even went through surgery both times. But, it was worth it. I’ll never forget my husbands comment to me after I gave birth to our first baby boy. He told me that after watching me go through the labor pains, surgery and now in the recovery room he thought I would never want to have another baby. Until they brought my new born baby boy into the room and put him in my arms. My husband said that the look on my face was so peaceful as if I forgot everything … the hours of labor … surgery … everything, because my focus was on the new life in my arms.  Well in so many ways that is what it’s like to start or give birth to a new business.

The other day as I was sitting with my new business partner in our lawyer’s office finalizing the paper work for SmartImage Media. My lawyer said, “A corporation is a living breathing entity. “ Yes … It’s alive!!! I realize this as an emerging entrepreneur and small business owner. Understanding that starting a new business or growing my business takes the essence of who I am coupled with what I’m passionate about … ignited by a great idea … a solution to a need in the marketplace … developed and brought into existence with time, energy, money and a great team … Understanding that there is no guarantee that my new entity or at this point “baby” will grow into a healthy strong business. Man or woman as an entrepreneur … these birthing pains are difficult and it takes a unique person to overcome the ups and downs of starting a new business. I find owning my own business means continuously learning, allowing myself to be stretched, overcoming disappointment and fears, surrounding myself with people that challenge me and risking everything to create something that didn’t exist before. It can be painful … but it is so worth it.

I recently came across an article that had an interesting take on communicating effectively.  Being a creative company, our team works very closely with our clients and with one another.  We have many a brainstorming session to create new brands, identities and websites for our clients.  So I am always looking for the best ways to communicate.

Christopher Knights “Top 7 Ways to Communicate Effectively” had some great tips that I wanted to share with you.

1) HAVE SELF WORTH – Leads to self confidence

2) GET INTERESTED IN OTHER PEOPLE

3) OPEN UP A PERSON’S HEART

4) LISTEN – Ask follow-up questions to show you are listening to the other person

5) DIVERSIFY YOURSELF

6) UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR WORTH NEVER CHANGES

7) FOLLOW THE STEP -LADDER

Click here to read the article in it’s entirety:   “Top 7 Ways to Communicate Effectively”

Being a business owner for over 16 years gives me a lot to reflect on. Starting as a freelance artist and now the owner of a small website and design firm with employees and a partner has been quite a journey. Where I am today in business is a culmination of life experiences and decisions. I have now recreated my business for the third time and it has given me some insight on growing a business. I wanted to share a few of these business growth accelerators with you this month.

Get comfortable with what you don’t know. The only problem is that you don’t know what you don’t know until you know what you don’t know. It took me two years to figure this one out. I came to a place of realizing that I didn’t know enough to grow the business any larger then what I knew. I didn’t know enough about growing my business to fulfill the ultimate vision I had for it. Because of this realization when Malcolm Hilcove approached me to buy into my business I considered it. Once I realized what an amazing businessman he is and that we had the same values (the same values are extremely important for a business partner) I accepted his offer. This was one of the best decisions I could have made in growing my business. With his business knowledge and my vision SmartImage Media started advancing at warp speed.

Next week I’ll write about Accelerator two, Take Responsibility for Everything.