The excitement is there and you cannot wait to introduce your new business to the world, but you are hesitant about whether you will make it.  This blog post is here to assist you toward success.  Whether you are developing a personal brand or offering a product or service, no matter what line of business it is, stay here for your guide to success.

It is important to develop cohesive branding for your business, especially at the earliest stages. Using ready-made templates allows you to save time and money. You can also hire an experienced designer to help you with editing the content of the template when needed.

01

Don’t be hasty

It is easy to perhaps feel afraid, anxious, or overwhelmed when jumping into the unknown, especially as an entrepreneur. However, it is important to take your time and be thoughtful about your decisions. Consider researching the market, meeting with potential partners and investors, and understanding your competitive landscape before moving forward.

Do not forget to understand the financial side of things. Have a budget calculated, and plan out how you will fund any unexpected expenses that may arise. By taking a careful approach to launching your business, you can set yourself up for success in the long term.

02

Talk to the old guns in the business

As you consider launching your business, it can be of high value to speak with experienced businessmen and women who have been in the trenches. Connecting with these industry veterans is a great way to gain insight into the business world and understand what it takes to build a successful venture.

Ask questions about their successes, failures, lessons learned, and best practices they have discovered throughout their journey. Doing so will provide insight that can help you make more informed decisions when starting your own company. Additionally, many seasoned entrepreneurs are willing to offer advice and mentorship as you get off the ground. Take advantage of these opportunities whenever possible.

Get as much help as you can while saving valuable time and money. Services for your business that you will need like graphic and web design and digital marketing can be outsourced now more than ever at a fraction of the cost.

03

Have a product

Having a product or service that meets customer needs is essential for a successful business. It is important to identify who your target customers are and then determine what type of products or services would be useful to them. Once you have identified the product or service, develop a pricing strategy and create a marketing plan to promote it.

For instance, if you are in the market with titanium piercing jewelry, consider ways to differentiate yourself in the marketplace such as offering special discounts or exclusive services. You will want to take into account any legal considerations such as filing for trademarks or patents if necessary. Taking the time to ensure your product or service is well thought out and desirable in the marketplace can set up your business for success.

04

Be positive and excited

The most important piece of advice for new entrepreneurs is to stay positive and excited about the journey ahead. Although there will be bumps in the road, it is essential to remain focused on success despite any difficulties that arise. Be willing to take risks and learn from your mistakes. Be teachable and accept good advice.

In addition, do not forget to enjoy the process of building your business. This can often be forgotten when starting something new, but it is important to remember why you started in the first place. It may be helpful to write down what got you started so that you may reflect on your plan and dreams, and by doing that, keep you motivated throughout your journey.

Takeaways

In conclusion,  starting a successful business is no easy feat. However, if you take the time to plan ahead and have a well-thought-out strategy in place, you can confidently jump into the deep end of entrepreneurship with success.

Marianna Hewitt celebrating International Women’s Day with Oak and Fort, a modern lifestyle brand which is not only woman-founded but also led by women. Since the launch of her flagship product, the Jet Lag Mask, she has been a great force in the wellness and self-care movement, inspiring others with her success.

Operating a new business can be an exciting, but daunting adventure, with several factors to consider before leaping. Statistics show that more than 50% of all small businesses collapse before their fifth anniversary.

Before opening your doors for business, there are various critical stages, from drafting a business strategy and collecting money to building a brand and establishing operations. A detailed checklist ensures you cover all the crucial bases and set yourself up for success.

01

Knowledge or ability

Obtain the required skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in your chosen industry once you decide on the type of business you want to establish. Although it will take time and work, you will have all the information you need to launch your business idea from scratch.

Since it is critical to have a business plan, gathering all of the pertinent reseach will make it that much easier to compile all of the data you need. By creating a business plan, you will determine if your service is in demand and if it is worthwhile to pursue the idea in the first place.

If you have the appropriate expertise, create a business plan independently. Alternatively, you can always seek the assistance of an experienced business consultant.

02

Staffing

Your staff can either grow or destroy your business. Without competent human resources, no company can thrive. Therefore, you must enlist a team of knowledgeable staff who plan to attract the right talent for you company.

Additionally, consider collaborating with a recruiting agency to fill your openings with competent people. Furthermore, several websites make it easier to find the right type of candidates you are looking for.

Enlisting help from a staffing agency might ease your work and save you money. So, it is worth the extra step. You must also factor in training in addition to hiring the right people, so keep this in mind, too.

03

Start-up costs

Estimating your start-up costs is one of the most important variables when starting a new business. It would help if you calculated the whole cost of starting and running your business. For instance, the start-up costs for a manufacturing unit you want to create might be high.

Consider the cost of the land or building, the industrial setup, the acquisition of machinery and equipment, the investment in furniture and office supplies, and a variety of other assets that will require funding. Similarly, a retail business will have start-up costs for construction, interior remodeling, and showroom design.

Once your business is formed, you must consider the operating capital needed to keep it running. You must examine the inventory you maintain on hand, the credit you can provide your customers, and the credit you may receive from suppliers.

However, you should not constantly rely on credit from suppliers, especially if you are a newcomer to the sector. Avoid company debt in excess when you start funding your business as this may hinder your growth in the future.

04

Legal licenses, permits, and insurance

Addressing the legalities of running a business is not the most enjoyable aspect of beginning a retail business, but it is necessary. You must decide on your business structure, ranging from single proprietorship to corporation.

It is typical for merchants to form limited liability corporations to reduce personal risk, but make sure you receive legal counsel before deciding on the best business structure for your specific circumstances.

Before opening a retail business, you should also extensively investigate what licenses and permissions are necessary for your area. Verify federal, state, and municipal government requirements because regulations vary. Some applications take a long process, so start as soon as possible.

05

Competitors

Look into the companies that provide comparable goods or services. You may learn about their target markets and the places they serve.

If they serve a comparable demographic, consider opening stores further away from them or focusing on a different market. You might also join a local chamber of commerce or entrepreneurial group to meet individuals working on similar projects.

06

record-Keeping

Before establishing your company, devise a method for tracking your sales, income, expenditures, and operational costs. With the help of an organization, you may track your expenditures and file your taxes. Consider hiring an accountant or studying software options that can automate some tasks to help you with this.

07

Payment processing systems

Installing payment processing hardware is essential. Buy payment processing equipment such as credit card readers, POS systems, or mobile card readers. Be certain that the equipment is compatible with your payment processor.

There are numerous types of credit card machines, each with its advantages. Countertop, mobile, virtual, and integrated point-of-sale (POS) systems are some of the most frequent credit card terminals. Mobile terminals are ideal for companies that sell on the move, such as during trade exhibits or events.

Takeaways

Starting a new business can be challenging but achievable by implementing the right strategies from the beginning of its inception. Consider adopting this checklist to achieve the best results for your particular venture.

With so many resources available online, you are sure to gather the best tools and resources available. Take advantage of the many advances in technology that will allow you to automate common tasks and processes. This will allow you to free up your time to focus on your business strategy, growth, and expansion.

Likewise, Hello Lovely Living is here to support you with your business endeavors, so feel free to reach out to us for a free consultation on the many graphic, web, and digital marketing services available.

This month, Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Ireland celebrated their 5th birthday celebration at Upside Pizza in NYC. They have been successful in understanding their customers’ needs since the launch of their flagship product, the Jet Lag Mask, and have since launched many other products. Their nostalgic pop-up events like this one with a Self-Care shop incorporate the iconic Summer Fridays branding to achieve a memorable experience for their customers.

01

Understand Your Customers’ Schedules 

Many freelancers paid by the hour must abide by time clock rules. This often means they are responsible for logging their working hours and dedicating a set amount of time each day to a project. Understand your customer schedules and how it corresponds to your routine. Ensure you are fulfilling your contractual obligations, especially when it is tied to whether you get paid.

02

Stick To A Routine

As a freelancer, you are largely responsible for managing your time. We all have routines, and you know what works best for you. But basic rules like the time you get up, eat, and sleep will help you stick to a routine and avoid you working unusual hours that leave you feeling run-down. Try to work a set amount of hours each day, take regular breaks and create a schedule that will help you stay consistent.

03

Set Boundaries With Clients

Make it clear to your clients when you are available. If you are working with clients outside your time zone, try to find some overlap in your working day where you can connect if needed. Respect your boundaries and ensure your clients know exactly when you are and aren’t reachable. This will also help establish a good working relationship with your customers and give you a clear work-life boundary.

04

Seek Financial Advice

Seeking financial advice can directly tie into the hours you work. If you are having cash flow problems, the earlier you know, the quicker you can explore new avenues for business growth and regain control of your time. The more money you earn is directly tied to the hours you work as a freelancer, so keeping on top of finances avoids spiraling hours to make up for financial losses in the business.

It is also best to pay attention to common personal and business expenses that can easily be prevented by choosing a bank that has no monthly fees, no overdraft fees, and free ATMs. These common expenses can add up, so this decision will be very important to avoid unnecessary expenses down the road. We are impressed with Chime because it checks off all the boxes and makes banking smarter. Earn $100 when you join Chime. Learn more.

Social media template and theme planning and scheduling tools can automate daily tasks that are often time-consuming.

05

Use A Project Management Tool

A project management tool like Asana can help you organize your time and meet your schedule and deadlines. When you are extremely busy, a project management tool can help keep you on track and ensure you can complete your projects to deadline and budget. Project management tools can help you break down large tasks into more manageable ones so that you can be more effective with your time.

06

Make Sure You Switch Off

Managing work-life balance as a freelancer can be challenging. Nonetheless, switching off is an essential part of being effective. Make time for yourself, whether protecting your hour lunch break or ensuring you finish at a reasonable time in the evenings. Do what helps you switch off best, whether that’s playing a video game or going for a run. 

Get social media templates and themes, scheduling tools, and graphic design support to help you be efficient with daily marketing tasks.

07

Invest In Automation

Automation can help you win back vital time as a freelancer. You might invest in social media planning and scheduling, automated email marketing campaigns, or prompts to potential customers that leave their cart on your eCommerce site. You can look at opportunities to automate tasks like sending invoices or payment follow-ups to help you win back time you can spend on other areas of your business.

08

Define A Reminder Schedule For Payments

Spending valuable time chasing your invoices? Setting a reminder payment schedule is vital to appearing professional and saving time. Following up on overdue invoices is stressful and, when done manually, can eat into your working hours. Setting clear reminders and payment deadlines is vital to saving yourself time as a freelancer.

09

Get To Grips With tracking your time

Do you know how long it takes you to complete tasks? An accurate picture of your tasks can help you manage your working hours and get the right project timelines. It also ties into your payments. Recording your timelines ensures you set accurate prices for your goods and services. Underestimate your hours, and you risk getting both underpaid and working extra hours to complete pieces of work.

10

Block Off Time

Blocking off chunks of time to focus on specific tasks can help you get into a flow state and manage your workload better. A flow state refers to becoming fully immersed in whatever you are doing. It describes when people achieve their best work with focus and clarity. Giving yourself allocated hours to focus on specific tasks can help you achieve a flow state and make the most of your time. Physically block off hours in your calendar to complete your projects.

11

Document Everything

Document all your workflows and processes. Identifying your business operations can help you identify where you can streamline and template your work. It is also great when your mind is blank, as you can refer back to something you have drafted previously as a prompt. Documentation is great to review as your business scales, as it can be used to train new employees or collaborators quickly and effectively.

12

Give Yourself Buffer Time

Even if it takes you three hours to complete a task, it doesn’t mean you should only give yourself three hours. Buffer time is essential as a freelancer. It protects you on days you feel tired and ill, days your boiler breaks or your internet goes down. You don’t need to cram your working days with constantly focused work. Give yourself some buffer time to protect yourself against life’s unforeseen events. 

If you are questioning the value of buffer time as part of your hourly rate, it is still essential. You and your clients would be much happier if you built in time for fact-checking, proofing, and project revisions.

Takeaways

It can be tough to manage your time as a freelancer. Fortunately, resources like project management software and financial advice can help you manage your time as a small business owner. Sticking to a routine, setting clear client boundaries, and managing your timelines are important resources for working effectively. There are also many chances to automate and save time, including drafting documentation, setting reminder schedules, and investing in automation. Try these tips today and see how it helps you manage your freelance business.

@hellolovelyliving

Your wedding day is a particularly remarkable occasion, from the location you will choose to the timeless vows you will recite. You've chosen wedding decorations that reflect your individual taste, selected a gorgeous venue, and even found that one-of-a-kind gown that fits you like a glove. 

As a result, your wedding stationery ought to be as distinctive as the rest of your wedding decor. This includes printing wedding invitations that incorporate the hues, distinctive patterns, and personalized text of your big day. In this article, we will discuss helpful tips for printing your custom-designed wedding invitations.

Things You Should Consider Before Printing Custom Wedding Invitations

1. Compared with more conventional wedding stationary sites, send save-the-dates and invites for your wedding in advance.

2. Throughout the eight to twelve-month span of your planning process, make sure to design and print save-the-dates and other wedding stationery like wedding napkins at the same time to ensure that everything is consistent.

3. Wait until your photographer has delivered your engagement images before ordering photo cards.

4. Prior to finishing your invites, create a wedding website so you may include your URL and relevant information there.

Tips for Printing Your Custom Wedding Invitations 

To make bespoke invitations, you don't need to be a graphic designer; however, using some of their tools will help. You can upload your own designs to websites that provide pre-made wedding invitation templates with suggestions that might stimulate your imagination. 

Whichever route you take, you might already have a broad concept of the result you're aiming for. You can visualize your thoughts with different web tools. The primary components of each card design are the concept, style, size, writing, balance, and materials.

1. In the past, stationary has typically been sold in quantities of 20, 50, or 75. Use this to your advantage by ordering a few extra invitations, just in case. Both mailing errors and errors in the guest list creation process are conceivable. To calculate the number of custom invitations you need, count the households you are distributing information to rather than the total number of people.

2. Even the most traditional weddings have a theme, even if it's just something straightforward like the season or the kind of location. To start planning your invitations, find inspiration and give your wedding branding its individuality. When you begin organizing other items, like wedding programs and reception menus, keep this in mind as well. Include colors, patterns, and fonts that represent the mood of your special day. For instance, transparent or clear wedding invitations are quite trendy these days.

3. The most common wedding invitation size today is 5 x 7 inches. This size card provides plenty of space for basic information, your wedding website, and all of your design accents. Depending on how you want your guests to interact with their stationery, experiment with card size and structure.

4. What ought to be written on homemade wedding invitations? It can be difficult to decide what to put and what to keep for your website when there is so little room available. The majority of wedding invitation language typically comprises the names of the hosts, the wedding announcement, the venue and scheduling information, the RSVP deadline, and information on how your guests can get further details about your event.

Takeaways

The last stage in this process is sending out your personalized invitations. A finalized guest list signifies that you are ready to turn your fantasy design into reality with just a few weeks until your big day. When you design your wedding invitations, take your time to create a unique keepsake that you and your guests will cherish for the rest of your lives.