Rachel Beider in INC. Magazine: 8 Ways to Cultivate a True Entrepreneurial Mindset

Success as an entrepreneur takes more than just a good business idea.

When it comes to entrepreneurial success, your state of mind is critical. Approaching your business with positivity and a goal-oriented mindset not only helps keep you motivated through the ups and downs, it can also inspire and encourage your team to work together toward common goals.

Below, a group of successful business leaders share some of the actions you can take to cultivate an "entrepreneurial mindset" and how doing so themselves has impacted their careers. Read on to learn how to apply these philosophies to your own day-to-day life.

1. Challenge yourself and get over your ego

Entrepreneurs can easily become paralyzed by fear and unable to move forward if they're second-guessing their every move, says Gabriel Krajicek, CEO of Kasasa.com. Instead, it can help to challenge yourself as if entrepreneurship was a game. 

"You may win, you may lose, but you are resilient and can rebuild," Krajicek says. "It's just your ego that will be bruised. If you can get over your ego, you can accomplish incredible things."

2. Take small steps toward large goals

Kristin Kimberly Marquet, founder and creative director of Marquet Media, believes in the idea that "small steps lead to big strides." She says this mindset has helped her stay motivated and focused on her short-range and long-term goals. 

"I've found that by taking more small steps, I am able to accomplish more and find more success," adds Marquet.

3. Learn to love the grind

Successful entrepreneurs learn to derive pleasure from doing the "hard things" every day in their business, says Samuel Thimothy, co-founder of OneIMS. 

"Many beginner entrepreneurs underestimate the amount of work they will have to put in and the volume that it takes to achieve success in anything," Thimothy says. "If you don't learn to love the daily grind, there's a high probability that you will drop everything mid-way."

4. Think with tenacity and determination

According to Rachel Beider, CEO of Press Modern Massage, the mindset of an entrepreneur is one of tenacity, determination, and resilience that is focused on results, growth, and forward progress. 

"An entrepreneur is unafraid of failure and embraces risk, driven by passion and a desire to make a positive impact," says Beider. "I have found that having this entrepreneurial mindset has helped me to stay focused and motivated in my career."

5. Know how to pivot when necessary and move forward

Adaptability to change is essential to the entrepreneurial mindset, says Jared Atchison, co-founder of WPForms, because no matter the industry you operate in, trends are in a constant state of flux. 

"To ensure your growth and keep the needle moving, you have to be flexible enough to embrace the change in your respective industry," Atchison explains. "You have to be able to pivot and keep things going."

6. Look at success as a process, not a one-time event

For Stephanie Wells, co-founder and CTO of Formidable Forms, the right mindset for an entrepreneur is believing they can take on any challenge and find success. This, she says, gives you the courage to keep pushing forward and stay positive in the face of failure. 

"This mindset or philosophy has greatly impacted my career and motivated me to do things that others labeled as impossible to accomplish," says Wells. "It helped me understand that success is a process, not an event."

7. Be present and open to new opportunities

Matthew Capala, CEO of Alphametic, advises entrepreneurs to stay in the present so they can explore new ways of doing things, new opportunities, and solutions to problems that may have seemed insurmountable. 

"We miss so much by being in our heads and in our old ways of doing things that we may lose out on what is being presented to us in the present," Capala says.

8. Believe in your success and don't quit

Ryann Dowdy, founder of Be in the Room, says all successful business owners believe in their own success above all else.

"They don't question it or doubt it -- they believe that what they're working on will work," explains Dowdy. "That doesn't mean that the experience is without its challenges, but the deep-rooted belief in the outcome makes the challenges easier to withstand."

Original article here in INC Magazine

"6 Promising Industries These Entrepreneurs Would Start Businesses In Today"

Entrepreneurship is all about looking for new opportunities. Whether that means opportunities to make more money or opportunities to make a difference in a new way, entrepreneurs often keep a close eye on the business world at large, taking note of what ideas are succeeding and which need to go back to the drawing board. When a business or whole industry makes an impact, savvy entrepreneurs take notice.

As business leaders themselves, the members of Young Entrepreneur Council also like to take advantage of new opportunities. Here, six members speculate about the industries they would start businesses in today if they weren’t involved in their current businesses and discuss why they believe these industries are so promising for the future.

1. Regenerative Agriculture

I would start a business in the regenerative agriculture sector, probably as a permaculture consultant. I believe that tackling climate change while feeding people nutritious food is one of the most promising ways to make an impact and earn a living. I also believe we need more diverse voices in the agriculture world, and small local farms and urban food systems are going to make a big difference. - Nathalie Lussier, AccessAlly

2. On-Demand Services

Our society has become one that craves instant gratification, leading to the rise of on-demand services like Uber, Netflix, Grubhub and Amazon. With one-click orders or delivery times as short as one hour or a day, these companies are revolutionizing how people access goods and services. That makes investing in this industry particularly advantageous right now. - Tonika Bruce, Lead Nicely, Inc.

3. Physical Therapy And Movement

If I were starting a new business in a different industry, I'd consider looking at physical therapy, Pilates and movement in general. While massage therapy feels amazing and helps to treat injuries, I love the idea of adding movement to prevent injuries and strengthen the body. I see both as working in harmony, and my expertise at running a brick-and-mortar practice would come in handy. - Rachel Beider, PRESS Modern Massage

4. Beauty

If I had to start a new business in an industry different from the one I'm currently in, then I'd prefer the beauty industry. It's one of the safest options given the current economic circumstances. Despite the distress in different industries worldwide, the beauty industry is rapidly growing and has a wide range of niches to target. So, it seems a safe and promising option to consider. - Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms

5. Fertility And Women's Healthcare

Women are having kids at a later age these days, and a pregnancy is generally considered geriatric after the age of 35. Many women are rightfully more focused on establishing a career and financial stability, putting things like love and starting a family on the back burner. Having other options, especially holistic ones, at a reasonable price would be my choice. - Givelle Lamano, Lamano Law Office

6. Coaching

One of the most lucrative business ventures in 2023 is running a coaching firm, particularly if you have experience in the field. In fact, unless you have a specialty, you generally shouldn't launch a coaching firm. Coaching sessions are frequently high-ticket purchases, so you can charge a lot for each one. You bill for your value rather than your time. - Kelly Richardson, Infobrandz

Read more at FORBES here

Rachel’s latest advice in Forbes: 10 Tips For Creating SOPs Your Employees Will Actually Reference

Rachel’s latest advice in Forbes: 10 Tips For Creating SOPs Your Employees Will Actually Reference

Convincing your employees to read through pages of dry policy and procedure—especially on a regular basis—is never the easiest of tasks. While documenting your business processes is important for consistency and clarity, this documentation only becomes valuable if your team members actually reference it.

So what’s the key to making your standard operating procedures (SOPs) more interesting to your team? Below, 10 members of Young Entrepreneur Council explore this question and share their best tips for making your business's SOPs something your employees actually want to use and read.

1. Gamify The Experience

One creative way to encourage your employees to use and read your business's SOPs is to gamify the process. For example, you could create a game or competition that rewards employees for successfully completing tasks according to your SOPs or for identifying and correcting any errors or inconsistencies in the SOPs themselves. This can make the process of using and reading your SOPs more fun and engaging while also encouraging your employees to participate more actively. Additionally, you can involve employees in the creation of your SOPs and incorporate their feedback to identify any potential challenges or roadblocks upfront, ensure that the procedures are relevant, useful and easy to understand, and foster a sense of ownership and buy-in, making their usage more likely. - Lauren Marsicano, Marsicano + Leyva PLLC

2. Try An Alternative Format

Use a tool like Notion to create the SOPs in a format that is easily digested and can contain a mix of text and images. Nobody wants to read a 20-page document, but by adding some life via Notion, it will make the SOPs both easier to navigate and more enjoyable to go through. - Josh Weiss, Reggie

3. Consider How People Consume Information Today

An SOP is crucial for ensuring consistency and quality in your product or service. But, let's be real: Most SOPs are boring, so no one really wants to read them. So how can you make sure your SOPs are actually used and read by your employees? One key tip for encouraging employees to use an established SOP is to think about how people consume information today. We see everyone using their phones, not holding books, right? So, writing a thick manual using dry, boring language meant to sound official isn't ideal. Always make the SOP short and sweet. No one wants to read a novel. Be sure to make it as simple to understand as possible by using clear, concise language. Even better, make it a dynamic document that can be interacted with on a smartphone using embedded video and helpful links. - Richard Fong, Trustable Tech

4. Focus On The Value They Provide Them

One tip for making your business's SOPs something that your employees actually want to use is to involve them in the process of creating the SOPs while focusing on the value that the SOPs can provide them. Instead of viewing the SOPs as just another set of rules and regulations that must be followed, emphasize the ways in which the SOPs can help your employees get more done in less time. This can help to shift the focus from compliance to the benefits of following the SOPs. For example, as an employee, using an SOP as a tool to get time back in your day is a much more appealing and motivating proposition than using an SOP to replace your creative decision-making with a factory-line-style process. - Rob Hoffman, Contact Studios

5. Make Them Searchable

A great way to make sure your business's SOPs are something that your employees will actually want to use and read is by making them easy to access and searchable. Creating a central repository or knowledge base for all of the SOPs ensures they can be quickly accessed by using keywords and search terms, making it easier for employees to find the information they need without going through pages of irrelevant content. By making the SOPs easily accessible and searchable, you ensure your team has quick access to any pertinent information whenever needed, which increases their interest in following the procedures outlined in these documents. - Pratik Chaskar, Spectra

6. Ensure They Are Comprehensive And Easy To Understand

One tip for making your business's SOPs something your employees actually want to use and read is to make sure the SOPs are easy to understand and comprehensive. This means that they should be broken down into simple steps and should include all relevant information. This is effective because it ensures that employees can quickly and easily understand what they need to do and why without feeling overwhelmed or frustrated. Additionally, a comprehensive SOP will help to keep employees on the same page, which can help to improve efficiency and accuracy. - Rachel Beider, PRESS Modern Massage

7. Lead By Example

As the leader of your organization, you need to lead by example. The best leaders convey their vision in every meeting as they demonstrate the regularly applied SOP. For example, if you're explaining a task to a team member and why it's important, always tie that task back to your SOP or mission so they can create a mental connection. When praising team members, highlight how their success was brought on by following the SOP. This will encourage others to do the same. Building team habits is easier if they believe in why they're doing it. - Andy Karuza, NachoNacho

8. Update Them Regularly

It may be hard to get staff to reference SOPs daily. Instead, schedule regular updates of existing SOPs so that everyone can contribute to improving that documentation while also refreshing their memories. SOP use is particularly important during new employee training, and this ensures that the new employee and their trainer are familiar with the most up-to-date processes. - Firas Kittaneh, Amerisleep Mattress

9. Consider Their Design And Layout

Researchers claim that 83% of human learning occurs visually, so using concise and easy-to-read bullet points, graphs and charts can be extremely helpful in getting your point across. You can also use color coding to distinguish different types of information or create headings and subheadings to help organize the material. Remember to keep the SOPs short and sweet. No one wants to read a long document full of dense paragraphs. Try breaking up the information into short, easier-to-digest sections. For long processes, use hierarchical steps with main steps and substeps. Employees are one part of the company's audience, and like with customers and external audiences, better engagement with information depends on the delivery. A reader doesn't need coercion when content is engaging. - Tonika Bruce, Lead Nicely, Inc.

10. Cut The Filler

One tip I have for making SOPs more valuable is to cut out filler. When creating a resource that employees regularly use, having unnecessary information is detrimental. Identify critical steps and information that must be outlined in an SOP and remove the rest. By only keeping crucial information, your team members are much more likely to utilize the SOP, as they will be able to quickly and efficiently gather the information they are searching for. - Jared Weitz, United Capital Source Inc.

Read the article and more, here on FORBES

11 Ways Small Businesses Can Compete With Major Retailers for Holiday Sales

Cyber Monday and Black Friday are great opportunities to attract customers to your small business, but there is often a lot of competition from major retailers during the holiday season. While your small business may not be able to compete on the same level as a major retailer, there are a lot of strategies you can use to sell more products or services through the end of the year.

1. Offer Products Unique to Your Company

“Big retailers can’t compete against items that they don’t have. Offer products that are unique to your company’s brand and industry with better customer service to create brand loyalty. On Black Friday, customers will respond to discounts for products that you offer because they trust you. It also doesn’t hurt that they can’t find it anywhere else!” ~ Robert De Los Santos, Sky High Party Rentals

2. Partner With Shopping Apps and Plugins

“Partner with cash-back and discount apps and plugins that shoppers use to find deals year-round. These solutions see more use during the holiday shopping season, and many shoppers rely on their recommendations to make buying decisions. Don’t bother creating your own shopping app if you’re a small, independent retailer; it’ll get lost in the app store’s clutter.” ~ Andrew Schrage, Money Crashers Personal Finance

3. Find New Clients Through Old Clients

“Use your current client base to draw in new customers. Incentivize them to speak to their friends and colleagues about your brand. You can often see this on social media via competitions, and it’s highly effective. Small businesses will never achieve the same numbers as corporate giants, but you can still significantly increase your base by using what you already have.” ~ Nick Venditti, StitchGolf

4. Host Earlier Sales

“As a small business, I compete with larger retailers by running an early Black Friday sale for my client list to get ahead of the craziness. Every year this has set us apart from the noise and made a huge difference in our Q4 sales.” ~ Rachel Beider, PRESS Modern Massage

5. Encourage Email Subscriptions

“People will already be thinking about the deals months before they happen. Start your campaign early to compete with major retailers. By enticing customers to subscribe to your newsletter, you can give them exclusive deals earlier than the big-box retailers.” ~ Jared Weitz, United Capital Source Inc.

6. Capitalize on Your Strengths

“Don’t compete with the big-box stores. They can take the financial hit to their margins; you can’t. Instead, capitalize on your strengths and competitive advantage. Have good relationships with your customers? Use them to host a special event. Are some products more in demand than others? Bundle them in deals rather than selling all items at a discount. Revel in your unique qualities.” ~ Duran Inci, Optimum7

7. Increase Your Social Proof

“If you want to compete with larger companies, consider the benefits of social proof. Over 90 percent of online shoppers check for reviews before placing an order. You can expect a significant boost in seasonal sales if you have reviews, trust seals and live sales notifications (all excellent forms of social proof) on your site.” ~ John Brackett, Smash Balloon LLC

8. Leverage the Fear of Missing Out

“It won’t be possible for small businesses to compete with major retailers on price cuts. So, they will have to resort to other marketing strategies. Leveraging the ‘fear of missing out’ can work like a charm. Offering limited-time offers, setting a limit to your deals, bundling products, getting celebrity endorsements and more can get you much-needed traction from your audience.” ~ Jared Atchison, WPForms

9. Stay True to Your Company Values

“There’s a reason customers choose you over a major retailer, so you need to be careful to maintain that edge — especially during busier holiday seasons. Focus on what makes your business, product or service unique and provide thoughtful offers that customers will value. If you have the resources, offers tailored to customers’ unique buying habits can go a long way.” ~ Diana Goodwin, MarketBox

10. Be Active on Social Media

“Small businesses often have a huge advantage in their customer relationships. This holiday season, lean on that. Reach out through social media and offer separate Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Promote what is unique about your offering. Be active and accessible on your social media platforms. The more positive the experience, the more likely your customers will share your brand.” ~ Blair Thomas, eMerchantBroker

11. Diversify Your Services

“The best way to draw in customers from large retailers for Cyber Monday and Black Friday is to offer things the big retailers don’t offer. You will need to compare your offerings with theirs to do that. It could be a bundle, a gift, better customer service, gift wrapping, layaway or free delivery.” ~ Baruch Labunski, Rank Secure

Article in SMALL BIZ TRENDS

Secrets To Accomplishing More During The Workday

Rachel Beider shares her wisdom this week in Forbes

Even for the most successful entrepreneurs, there are only so many hours in the day. But with all the duties, responsibilities and pressures that come with being a business owner, finding ways to improve and optimize their productivity is an important, necessary part of their day-to-day work. So how do they do it?

1. Working On What Only I Can Do

The first step is to define what you can do best, and then figure out what only you can do. From there, you should audit your days for a week or so to see how much time you are spending on tasks that are uniquely suited to you. Everything else should be assigned to others on your team. You need to constantly make sure you're not doing busy work or in-the-weeds work, as they can creep up over time. That way, you stay in touch with doing the highest-level work that moves the company forward. - Allison Esposito Medina, Bootstrap to Millions (with Allison)

2. Prioritizing Business Needs Over Client Needs

The one area women in particular seem to struggle with is prioritizing their business needs before those of their clients. Starting the day with your sales activities and prioritizing the success of your own business before your clients’ is key to leading yourself and others in their success. This means you can grow your own business and lead by example so your clients can do the same. This also means that your work becomes more intentional and your leadership more impactful as a result. This simply requires boundaries around schedules and strong communication with your team and clients. - Leanne Lopez Mosley, GROW Coaching Solutions

3. Clearly Defining My Values And Goals

As a working mom, I find that maximizing my days isn't just useful—it's vital. I'm all for the mantra of "work smarter, not harder." Too often nowadays, effort and exertion are confused with impact and results. It truly comes down to prioritization. What task or activity, if not done today, will be detrimental to your future success or the success of your organization? Cutting through digital clutter to identify your priority is imperative. Stop thinking reactively, and start playing by your own rules. If your values and goals are clearly defined, it will be that much easier to focus and organize your output based on what will drive the needle forward. - Ashley Sharp, Dwell with Dignity

4. Starting My Day With Self-Care

Each morning, I prioritize moving my body—even if it's just for 15 minutes—and then a minimum of five minutes each for meditating, reading and journaling. This half hour of dedication to myself sets the tone for my day to get the more meaningful things done. I'm a go-getter who is action-oriented, but sometimes I find myself focusing so much on my to-do list and answering my emails that I have to stop, reflect and ask myself what the top three things are that I want to get done that day. Then I ask myself what is the No. 1 thing that will reap the most results? By starting my day with self-care, I focus on things that matter, reap results and that I'm naturally good at. - Givelle Lamano, Lamano Law Office

5. Focusing On High-Level Tasks

A CEO only has a few core responsibilities: to define the long-term vision of the company, to hire the right executive leaders, to ensure that the company never runs out of money and to delegate absolutely everything else. I get the most done during my workday by focusing on these high-level tasks and empowering my team to take care of everything else. - Rachel Beider, PRESS Modern Massage

6. Writing A List Of Tasks By Importance

Prioritizing your work and tasks is a vital skill to learn as an entrepreneur. This can be done in a variety of ways, but one that I find effective is creating a handwritten list of tasks and writing them down in order of importance. This technique helps me stay focused on the tasks at hand without getting overwhelmed or scattered with other tasks. - Kristin Kimberly Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC

7. Staying Organized At All Times

My secret is that I stay organized at all times. When you have clarity with respect to your goals and what you need to do, you tend to perform better and get more done due to uninterrupted focus. An unorganized and cluttered to-do list hinders your productivity. You end up wasting your time and energy trying to figure out what needs to be done rather than doing it. This not only affects your quality of work, but it also leaves you with a dwindling focus for the rest of the day. As a result, you are less likely to keep up with your deliverables, let alone get more done during your workday. - Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms

Rachel Beider in Forbes: How to Measure the Success of your Workday

When it comes to defining success, there’s no one right answer. It can mean owning your own business, making over a million dollars, driving a particular car or even just having more freedom with your time. But when broken down into a single workday, success can sometimes be a little more difficult to measure. Its definition can even change throughout your career as you develop both professionally and personally.

1. My To-Do List Is Shorter Than At The Beginning Of The Day

My days consist of to-do lists. At the end of my day, I look at my list, and if it’s smaller than what it was that morning, I deem it a productive day. As an entrepreneur, you can’t expect to check off everything on your list. But, if you feel like you’ve made some progress, big or small, this indicates that you’ve had a successful day. This mindset wasn’t always the case for me. I used to think that a successful day consisted of completing a large project or closing an important deal. Success is a series of small accomplishments. My best piece of advice is to create realistic to-do lists daily and try to check off at least three tasks before the end of the day. - Nick Venditti, StitchGolf

2. I Have Enough Energy To Enjoy My Time After Work

I know that my day was successful when I leave the workday with enough energy to enjoy my life outside of work. As I've moved through my career, I’ve learned to base my accomplishments on how I'd like to feel rather than on outside metrics of success. This means I tailor my daily activities and set goals based on how I want to feel. For example, if I want to feel more confident, I make sure to work out and blow-dry my hair. If I want to feel more connected, I schedule time to call my family and hang out with my friends. If I want to feel more successful, I make sure that my work is organized and that I have a lot of energy and passion to do it. I don't force myself to be "productive" on days that I'm not feeling it. - Rachel Beider, PRESS Modern Massage

3. I've Worked With My Team To Identify New Solutions And Opportunities

When I started my business, I associated success with sales wins and good news. Now, I associate a successful day with resilience. As an entrepreneur, you eventually realize that every day will bring challenges and new problems to solve. Success is when we work as a team to come up with new solutions and even identify new opportunities that will make our business that much stronger as a result. - Christina Drake, Willa's Oat Milks

MORE FOR YOU

They Inherited Billions Upon Billions: Meet America’s Richest Heirs

Education Is A Matter Of Life And Death In ‘The Queen’s Umbrella’

Anfield’s Famous Atmosphere Can Play A Part In Liverpool’s Turnaround

4. My Actions Today Have Made A Long-Term Impact

Early in a career, a good day may be determined by the ability to complete a project, close a deal or work through a task list. As my business progresses, I measure success based on the long-term impact of my actions today. This has helped me develop a more forward-looking approach in everything I do so that my time is better spent developing the company instead of just overinvesting time in the trenches. When you accomplish tasks that help drive the business forward for the coming months and years, you're able to sustainably grow your revenues and profits. - Firas Kittaneh, Amerisleep Mattress

5. I've Moved The Needle On Something

When I started my career, I judged the success of my day by my to-do list. If I finished it, the day was successful; if I didn’t, it wasn’t. But I realized that such a cut-and-dry indicator of success wasn’t realistic for me. I run a startup, so there are constantly things that pop up requiring my attention that I can’t always anticipate. I might put out 10 fires and, therefore, only do one thing on my to-do list. On paper, the day was unsuccessful, but in reality, it was productive in the places it needed to be at that given moment. I’ve since altered my definition of success and instead ask myself at the end of the day, “Have I moved the needle?” If the answer is “yes,” then I’ve had a successful day because I’m making progress, and on busy days, sometimes that’s all you can ask for. - Diana Goodwin, MarketBox

6. I Have Peace Of Mind At The End Of The Day

My peace of mind at the end of the day is a reasonable indicator. If I've accomplished several things I needed to, my mind lets me sleep well and move on. If I hit unavoidable delays all day or procrastinate, I'll be much more dissatisfied and wired by the end of the day. As for changes throughout my career, I think a younger version of me focused on the number of hours I worked. An all-nighter or marathon work session was like a badge of pride. Now I focus on meaningful work and deeper connections and relationships with my teammates. It's not the number of hours—it's how you spend them. - Tyler Bray, TK Trailer Parts

7. I've Stuck To My Daily Schedule

I always start the professional part of my day with a list of incremental tasks necessary to achieve big goals. I start with that list and then move ahead by ticking the boxes as I complete the tasks. These tasks are also multifaceted: Some of them are pure executions and some are regular business communications, team meetings and so on. I started this practice on the first day of my professional career. I continue it because I believe in simplicity. This practice brings me extreme satisfaction as it tells me that I'm moving in the right direction. To me, success is sticking to your daily schedule. Regularity brings sustainable growth, and this is what matters to me. It ensures that collectively we are moving toward achieving our professional goals. It gives me a sense of completeness. - Vikas Agrawal, Infobrandz

8. I Tackled My Biggest 'Rock'

It all depends on what success looks like to you. At the beginning of your career—and it's okay if you still do this—it might look like crossing items off a to-do list. It could also look like getting to inbox zero. If you get most or all of your task items completed, that might be the definition of a successful day for you. For me, it's tackling my biggest rock. At the beginning of each day, I jot down the three big "rocks," or actions, I need to complete. When I close my laptop at the end of the day, if one of those rocks has been moved, I consider the day a success. Over the years, this has become easier to manage and more of a focus. I used to think being busy was success, but now I know success is about making one significant impact time and time again. - Jared Weitz, United Capital Source Inc.

9. I Feel Happy With My Work

In my mind, I've had a successful day if I'm happy with my work. I think it's important that we are satisfied with the progress we've made. If you constantly compare yourself to other high-profile business owners or doubt your work, you will have a hard time growing personally and professionally. I suggest establishing a to-do list and managing it based on your standards and expectations. I'll admit, this is different from how I used to do things. I would look at successful people in my industry and strive to do what they do: work 13-hour days, six-day workweeks with little time for much else. I quickly discovered this lifestyle wasn't for me. I needed to find a way to fit that level of productivity into a seven-to-eight-hour block, so that's what I did. - John Brackett, Smash Balloon LLC

Rachel featured in Small Biz Trends: Signs it's time to Cut Ties with a Vendor

Maintaining good relationships with your vendors helps ensure that you consistently receive the goods and services you need and achieve mutually beneficial goals. But when the buyer-supplier relationship begins to sour for whatever reason, it may be best for your business to cut ties and move on.

To help you determine whether it’s time to seek out a new vendor partnership, 11 Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) members shared their insights on the following question:

“What’s one warning sign that it might be time to cut ties with a particular vendor, and why?”

1. They Won’t Renegotiate Redlined Clauses

“Sometimes it’s hard to know which side people are on or if they will even change sides. If you redline a harmful clause in your contract and send it back to a vendor, they will react. There’s no problem if the reaction is a compromise. If it’s not, and things escalate, end the relationship. Compromise strengthens aligned relationships and breaks misalignment.” ~ Sean Adler, GZI

2. They Can’t Deliver Within an Expected Timeline

“Our saying is, ‘You are only as strong as your weakest partner.’ If our vendors can’t deliver consistent products or within the timelines our customers expect, we move on quickly. There is always another great vendor out there who wants to work as hard and as thoughtfully as we do.” ~ Michael Barnhill, Specialist ID

3. They Affect the Quality of Business Operations

“A big red flag is when vendors begin to affect the quality of your business operations and offerings. This might look like failure to deliver supplies on time, quality going down or failure to communicate. Of course, mistakes can happen. But if the situation becomes a pattern, it’s a sign to move on before their lack of discipline disrupts your business operations and dampens quality.” ~ Blair Thomas, eMerchantBroker

4. They Stop Providing Product Support

“If a vendor stops providing product support, then it may be a good time to cut ties. Customers want to have a reliable source of information when trying out a new product or service. Business clients are no different; if you are not given any communication or contact when solving a problem, then you may want to switch providers.” ~ Duran Inci, Optimum7

5. Issues Continue to Occur

“The most significant warning sign in vendor relationships is when you’ve already communicated a problem and the issue continues to occur. Likewise, it’s also a bad sign if the communication has drastically changed or stopped between you and the vendor — or even worse, the communication has turned hostile. If the issue persists, it may indicate they are not up to par with the demands of your business and you need to take your business elsewhere.” ~ Jared Weitz, United Capital Source Inc.

6. They’re Causing the Bulk of Your Problems

“The Pareto principle states that roughly 80% of the outcomes come from 20% of the sources. If you notice that 80% of your problems are coming from one particular vendor, it’s time to cut ties.” ~ Rachel Beider, PRESS Modern Massage

7. They Aren’t Communicating Important Information

“The biggest red flag is when vendors aren’t forthcoming about delays, price changes, quality issues and more. They may disregard requests for information and operate outside of professional norms. In these instances, it’s obvious that the vendor is working in their best interests and not yours.” ~ Firas Kittaneh, Amerisleep Mattress

8. The Vendor Is Supplying Subpar Products

“If the product or service the vendor supplies is subpar and causing harm to your reputation, you should seek an alternative. Maintaining your standards is important, even if customers don’t notice right away. Eventually, it will catch up to you, so it’s not worth it even if it saves you a little in the short term.” ~ Kalin Kassabov, ProTexting

9. You Can’t Rely on Them

“Your business has so many aspects that demand your attention that you must insist on reliability in the people you work with. This is a reasonable standard, but remember, your vendor’s reliability has a direct impact on your own reliability. Nobody is perfect, but if you see some consistent failures of reliability, it’s time to start shopping around.” ~ Tyler Bray, TK Trailer Parts

10. They Have High Customer Turnover

“If a vendor has high customer turnover, I’d probably stay away from them. I wouldn’t make the decision right away, but the scenario would definitely raise a flag for me. I’d explore the reasons why people are leaving that particular vendor. For that, I may get in touch with a few of those people and find out.” ~ Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms

11. They Start Acting Like Your Competitor

“One of the biggest red flags with any vendor is if they start trying to compete with you directly. This means they don’t respect the relationship and are more interested in their own bottom line. It can also lead to tension and conflict later on. If a vendor starts acting like they’re your competitor, it’s time to reevaluate the relationship.” ~ Sujay Pawar, CartFlows

For more on this article in SmallBizTrends click here

Rachel Beider's Latest Advice on Leadership in Forbes

Seven Limiting Beliefs That Can Hold Female Entrepreneurs Back

Despite female entrepreneurship trending upward—especially in recent years—on a global scale, male entrepreneurs still outnumber their female counterparts three to one. Statistics like this one, paired with feelings of doubt and a sense of imposter syndrome any aspiring entrepreneur is sure to feel when starting out, can often leave young female entrepreneurs with one or more limiting beliefs that can hold them back from accomplishing everything they’re capable of.

1. I Need To Come Across Like Male Entrepreneurs Do

One limiting belief is that women need to come across as brash and confident as the male entrepreneurs we see in the media, even if that doesn't feel authentic to us or work for us. When pitching investors, you do need to be confident. At the same time, confidence can and should come from a place of authenticity and passion for what you're doing. - Christina Drake, Willa's Oat Milks

2. My Business Must Be Perfect Before I'm A True Entrepreneur

A common limiting belief among female entrepreneurs is that they don’t deserve a seat at the table until their idea is 100% perfect, launched and revenue-generating—which isn't true! Ultimately, it’s all about confidence. If you don’t have complete confidence in yourself yet, but you know your business idea is sound, then just get started. That self-confidence will come with time. - Diana Goodwin, MarketBox

3. Having A Family Will Limit My Success In Business

There's a common notion that having a family as a woman is a barrier to pursuing executive roles and running successful business ventures. Practical experiences show that circumstances do not dictate how far you go in life. There are countless examples of women who have broken glass ceilings while managing a family and a successful business. If anything, they become more driven and relentless in their pursuit. - Tonika Bruce, Lead Nicely, Inc.

4. Being A Solopreneur Is Better Than Having A Partner

I think the one limiting belief a lot of young female entrepreneurs have is the unwillingness to partner with others even if the affiliation shows promise. Most female entrepreneurs want to be sole proprietors. But, partnerships are often essential for growth. So, it's better that you start entertaining prolific future partnership proposals. - Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms

5. If I Fail, Then I Am A Failure

The fear of failing holds more people back than the actual pain of failing. Learn the lessons from the failure, move on and try again. Accept that it will happen. When it does, be prepared to analyze what worked and what didn't. From there, you can adjust, change and try again. These small adjustments will be what allows you to succeed. - Mary Harcourt, CosmoGlo

6. I Can't Charge What I'm Worth

A common limiting belief that I see in young female entrepreneurs is that they have to undercharge. They haven't yet learned to value their time properly and often get underpaid because they don't ask for enough from their clients. To properly value your time and services, it's important to research the market, discern what others are charging and price yourself accordingly. - Rachel Beider, PRESS Modern Massage

7. I Have To Work Twice As Hard Because I Am A Woman

The most limiting belief female entrepreneurs have that I’ve experienced is that they have an inherent sense of being “a woman” and always try to overcompensate for that. Going the extra mile to achieve something is not always harmful. But, doing this for being a female entrepreneur is something else. The cardinal reason behind this may be that this ecosystem is still governed by men. - Candice Georgiadis, Digital Day

For more on this post, see Forbes here

"Create An In-Store Experience That Will Surprise And Delight" - Rachel Beider for Forbes

In an age when more and more businesses are moving to or being created online, one advantage brick-and-mortars have over online stores is their ability to create in-person experiences and atmospheres that can surprise and delight their customers. Experiences rife with human connection and sensory enjoyment simply aren’t able to be duplicated in the online space in the same way.

1. Create A Branded Social Media Moment

Make your store memorable by creating an easy social media "moment." Adding a branded wall, a cool sign or a nice "Selfie Station" in your store is an easy way to boost in-store customer engagement while getting free online promotion for your space. In my massage therapy clinic, we have a lot of beautiful spaces that clients often take selfies in front of. I've seen a lot of brick-and-mortar businesses do this well with neon signs, plant walls, murals and interesting art. Make sure to include a branded spot on the wall so clients remember to tag your business in their posts. - Rachel Beider, PRESS Modern Massage

2. Offer Samples Of Your Products

Who doesn't love to sample? There's a reason why big-box retailers like Sam's Club leverage sampling as a primary way to drive sales; it's a great way to increase impulse buying and the law of reciprocity (you did something for me so I'll do something for you) and launch new or cool food products. If you aren't in the food business, don't fret. Leverage live models or product hosts to show off your products (think HSN and QVC). Imagine someone walking into your store to be greeted by a professional model showing off a new line of clothing. You can also hire a product host to set up live demonstrations. This will not only engage your customers and entertain them, but it will also encourage repeat customers. Trust me—my kids tell me every Sunday, "Hey Daddy, let's go to Sam's Club for samples." - Kristopher Brian Jones, LSEO.com

3. Provide Stellar Customer Service

One advantage that brick-and-mortar stores have over online stores is the ability to provide quick customer service. In-person experiences allow store employees to quickly resolve customer issues and address concerns. This can create a feeling of surprise and delight for customers who may not expect such quick and attentive service. To take advantage of this, brick-and-mortar business leaders should ensure that their employees are trained to provide quick and efficient customer service. Additionally, they should make sure that there are adequate staff levels during peak periods so that customer needs can be met in a timely manner. By providing excellent customer service, brick-and-mortar businesses can create an atmosphere of surprise and delight for their customers. - Pratik Chaskar, Spectra

4. Personalize Human Interaction

There’s power in personalization. Remember the customer's name, how many kids they have and what sports they play. A customer entering a brick-and-mortar store with someone saying “Hey John! It's great to see you. How is Millie's softball season going?” will outperform an online transaction any day of the week. In a screen-to-screen world, we often miss out on the personalized touch of human interaction. Brick-and-mortars have a chance to outperform any other sales channel by paying attention to their customers. If someone knows there is a warm hello and a handshake, they will more often than not choose the brick-and-mortar location over an online store. - Mary Harcourt, CosmoGlo

5. Incorporate An Augmented Reality Experience

Augmented reality can help create astounding in-person experiences and environments that lead to customer delight. It helps you get the traction that your store needs by helping you reinvent in-store experiences. Retail is changing, with more consumers preferring online shopping with every passing day. Augmented reality helps evolve a mainstream brick-and-mortar store and transform it into the store of the future powered by gamification and interactive experience for the customers. - Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms

6. Offer Exclusive Products And Services

One way to create a unique and memorable experience for customers is to offer exclusive products or services that can only be found in your store. These could be anything from a limited edition item to a service that is only available at your location. By offering something unique, you can surprise and delight your customers, which will keep them coming back for more. To do this, you need to have a clear idea of what's available in the market and what your customers are looking for. You also need to be willing to experiment and take risks. By offering something unique, you may find that you have a real winner on your hands. - Syed Balkhi, WPBeginner

7. Appeal To The Five Senses

A simple way to enhance customer experiences is by appealing to the five senses. How does the brick-and-mortar location smell when people step inside? What do they hear? What can they touch? What do they see? If applicable, what can they taste? Try to cover all five of the senses to create an immersive brand experience that customers can’t find anywhere else. Did you know that Disney pumps specific fragrances into its theme parks to pique the sense of smell? Disney also plays different music depending on where guests are in its parks, and decorations change as well. Your brick-and-mortar location should communicate the essence of your brand through decor, music, scents and so on. Be unique and immersive so people can “live” your brand experience when they step through the doors. - Jonathan Prichard, MattressInsider.com

8. Build A Rapport

One of the best ways to create an in-person experience that will surprise and delight your customers is to build a rapport with them from the beginning. This can be done by asking good questions that show you are interested in who they are and what they need. For example, you could ask them about their day, their favorite products or what brought them into the store. By taking the time to get to know your customers, you will be able to create a more personalized experience that will leave them feeling positive about their interactions with your business. - Adam Preiser, WPCrafter

Original Article HERE in Forbes

Rachel Beider in Forbes: Tips For Achieving A Creative Flow State

Innovation is often a key driver for long-term business success, but in order to properly innovate, you have to get creative first. A creative flow state, or any length or period of time during which a professional can think and create uninterrupted by distractions or intrusive thoughts, can be beneficial to those aiming to generate quality ideas in less time—but getting into this state isn’t always the most straightforward task.

1. Clean Up Your Environment

I think that it is crucial to put yourself in an environment where you feel most inspired and creative. If your home office is messy, try this: Take an hour to clean up everything that doesn't belong where it currently sits. Move stuff around until things feel comfortable. That may mean getting rid of some things altogether or making more space for others in order to create an environment conducive to creativity and flow-state-inducing happiness. When I do this, or just tidy up a bit, I always feel better afterward—and I sometimes even notice myself getting into a flow state sooner than usual because I'm not distracted by messes or clutter! - Rachel Beider, PRESS Modern Massage

2. Step Away From Screens

I find that creativity blooms most when you’re away from a screen, so put your phone away and close your laptop. Spend time with family and friends, go on a walk or hit the gym and you'll find that using your brain for things outside of work actually helps you be more creative during work. Some of my biggest ideas and most clarifying moments have come while spending time outside. For me, experiencing the peacefulness of nature and being away from the office really gets the ideas flowing. - Leila Lewis, Be Inspired PR

3. Reduce Restrictive Thinking

Creativity is a skill that can be learned and practiced. It is not the result of a magical power but instead of a disciplined mind. It may sound trite, but to truly get creative, you must open up to creative impulses. Try to eliminate as many restrictions on your thinking as possible. I've learned over the years that a great way to get into a creative flow state is to listen to music that inspires me. I've found that listening to my favorite bands or composers is a great way to brainstorm ideas, write or draw. Also, take long, deep breaths. As you exhale, empty your mind and focus on your breathing. It usually doesn't take more than 10 minutes for me to start feeling the flow state kick in. Once that happens, I can crank out ideas with lightning speed. - Kelly Richardson, Infobrandz

4. Get Moving

My creative juices tend to flow when my body is in movement, such as when I'm out for a run, swimming or even in the shower. In my shower, I have something called AquaNotes, which suggests you "don't let great ideas go down the drain." My most creative state rarely happens when I'm at my desk. In my dance class, no phones are allowed in the studio, so when a bright idea comes in and I can't afford to lose it, I'll step out to go to the locker room and add a note to my phone. To get creative, get your body moving, listen to music and get away from your desk. - Givelle Lamano, Lamano Law Office

5. Declutter Your Mind

Companies are now investing heavily in their employees' mental health due to the sheer pressure of the workplace. Any creative flow starts with a healthy state of mind; you have to find a way to declutter it. Most creative people do daily meditation and deep mind detoxification to get into a creative flow state. Additionally, many creators and artists practice heavy meditation techniques to get completely engaged in their creative performance without a sense of time. They also protect themselves from distractions to continue their creative flow state and perform their daily tasks at high levels of dexterity without getting influenced by their ego and sentimental judgment. Always remember that creativity is your core feeling toward a particular challenge. - Candice Georgiadis, Digital Day

6. Clear The Noise

There are different ways to tap into your creative zone. Which one is best suited for you is defined by your personality, interests and preferences. For me, it's being close to nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This clears the noise for me and helps fuel my creativity. The key is maintaining a constant focus and an uninterrupted state of concentration. So, what works for me may not work for you or anyone else. All you have to do is find what helps you gain focus—though I believe seclusion is the prerequisite. It's less likely for you to maintain a creative thought process when there's a lot of noise or people around you. - Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms

Original Article HERE in Forbes