The greatest business advice I've ever received was....?

[Hybrid Mom]

What have you learned about owning your own business that has helped you the most?

Share what you've learned.

[Sugar and Sprouts]

Act as if it is a done deal. You ARE a business owner. Talk like you are, act like you are, don't apologize for being new. Just go for it. I still AM new, but feeling great about it and making headway because I believe I can and AM!

[MicheleD]

When I first started my HR consulting practice in 2003, I thought I'd spend the majority of my time delivering my fabulous services. My mentors told me that I needed to devote a large portion of my time, especially during start up, to sales and marketing. But I ignored that advice...at the time, I had already booked a few big name clients, worth several thousand dollars, and figured I wouldn't have to worry about it for a while.

Six months later, all my contracts ended and I was left with zero clients and only a few lukewarm leads in my funnel.

These days, I devote more than 50% of my time on active sales and marketing efforts. My goal is to always have my funnel brimming with prospective business so that I'm never in a negative earning situation again...that was way too painful!