While I call myself an “accidental entrepreneur,” I have quickly realized a few key points that are a necessity to becoming successful in owning your own business. I also believe that these points are important if you are taking over a generational business through succession or for success in climbing the corporate ladder.

Let’s hold each other accountable!
Post at least one of these on your social media accounts and take our CEO and Owner, Katie Schrock, @KtSchr0ck about which step you are wanting to focus on for the next 21 days to make you a better business person.

Three Takeaways to Succeeding as an Entrepreneur

Never Stop Learning.
Whenever I felt like the going got tough - I learned. I felt that if nothing was happening, the least that I could do was learn. Although I only made a very small amount that first year of business, I set aside 18% of that first year money to attend the largest conference in the US for my business. I learned. I networked. I pushed myself to be better, to know more and understand how I can help my clients more. Any money that you need to invest is not in anything fancy - invest in your education. Conferences, events, online courses - that is where you are going to move the needle the most in your business.
Surround Yourself With Those You Want to be Like.
”You are the sum of the five people you are around the most.”
During this season, when I first started my company, I had moved back home. I didn't have a job. I wasn’t in school. I literally saw no one but my immediate family and that was typically in passing as they went off to work. I intentionally went out and found myself a mastermind group, you may have heard of it before, the Oregon Mastermind Group.
Made up of two other powerful individuals, I oftentimes felt intimidated and overwhelmed by the amount of knowledge, wisdom, and experience they had. Every time I did, I would take a breath and ask myself, “What can I learn in this moment?” And then I would start scribbling furiously to record the most detailed notes that I could. I also started to look for those individuals that were starting their own businesses or who were throwing the most positive vibes off their social media - that’s how I re-connected with Denise Marie of Denise Marie Photography and Markie Hageman of Girls Eat Beef Too.
Hire an Accountant and a Lawyer
Neither of these two positions are cheap! I went with an accountant that I knew I could trust; Irene Anderton with A&S Accounting in Corvallis, Oregon. A teacher at the local community college on starting small businesses, she was the perfect person to ask all my financial questions too. She gave me direction, resources, and allowed me to legally start my business in the absolute correct way.
I wanted to have a lawyer that I could talk to with questions on contracts and legalities. However, I was well aware that I didn’t have the funds to do so. I heard about a group called Legal Shield though a friend and, for a small monthly rate, I was able to have the help I needed when it came to my contracts, potential clients changing contracts and a peace of mind when it came to handling discrepancies.

If you are looking to grow as an entrepreneur or as a business person - try one of these out. Post on your social media and tag our owner and CEO, Katie Schrock, at @KtSchr0ck so that we can help hold you accountable!