Sweet Success
7 steps for a thriving small business
By Aundrea Lacy

Editor's Note: At press time we congratulate Aundrea on the wonderful press mention for Luv's Brownies in a recent issue of Everyday With Rachel Ray

My book Brownie Points: Seven Steps for Women Entrepreneurs from One Who Made It explains how I was able to keep my online bakery business, Luv’s Brownies, thriving through some challenging times. Drawing from my business and experience consulting for technology clients and working for dot coms, I developed steps to help entrepreneurs anticipate and overcome the challenges of starting and growing a small business.

Step 1 - Starting from Zero. This stage involves exploring when and how you should branch out into your own business. Maybe you’re still in school or are weighing whether or not to quit your day job. I faced these very same issues when I started Luv’s Brownies.

Tip: Take the time for research and thorough business planning, but don’t be afraid to jump in. There isn’t a perfect time to go back to school or start a business. We will always have our challenges. Don’t let any challenge stop you from making your dreams a reality.

Step 2 - Organize Your Life, Your Priorities, and Your Work. Your preparations and plans will come to nothing if you’re drowning in details and can never figure out what to do next. The key is getting organized, which is possible with less than one day’s effort. Once you are, you can do more than you ever thought possible.

Tip: Create repeatable processes.

Step 3 - Understand and Plan Your Finances, Both Personal and Business. Many beginners find finance daunting, but you have little to fear.

Tip: Use financial software. My preference is Intuit’s Quicken and QuickBooks.

Step 4 - Start Small and Create a Solid Business Plan Around Something You Love. The most important thing that you can understand about your business is what it isn’t.

Tip: Discard false ideas the world has about business enterprises before you can truly understand what your business entails.

Step 5 - Design and Document Repeatable Processes. Every business operation can be broken down into a series of small processes that can be refined.

Tip: Record repeatable tasks so every employee can look up the right way to do them, every time.

Step 6 - Design an Integrated Marketing Campaign. Understanding the best practices of sales, marketing, advertising and promotion can put your business on the map. For example, understand the four P’s of marketing: product, place, promotion and price.

Tip: Do your research on your top three competitors and execute on all four Ps simultaneously. Keep in mind your business plan is a living document. You will be constantly massaging it and adding unique messaging per vertical audience.

Step 7 - Get Still and Listen to that Little Voice. The preceding steps will prepare you to deal with all the challenges the external world will throw at your business every day. But when it comes to making decisions about the future, you have to stay connected with the internal and personal needs that your business is meant to serve.

Tip: Step into your spiritual space and listen for the little voice that comes from within. That voice, the inspiration for beginning your business, will be with you before you even start. But don’t leave it behind. Stop and listen every day, and let that voice continue to guide you as you nurture and grow your business.

As seen in the
Spring 2007 issue of PBWC Connections

more from this issue download the issue

Aundrea's Inspiration

"Your preparations and plans will come to nothing if you’re drowning in details and can never figure out what to do next."