Slowly Moving Forward

Slowly, but surely, I move forward towards my goal of being an entrepreneur.

I've been putting  my business cards in the hands of those within my circle and beyond. It has sparked several conversations about what my business entails, but no clients just yet. That's okay. I'm still building the foundation necessary for success.

I had an good conversation with my barber about my business and my plan of action. He suggested I accelerate things and get more aggressive with my marketing. Tax season is approaching and small businesses need someone to help them get their books together. He suggested offering a discount to bring some work into the door.

What he said were things that I had been thinking about, but I'm guessing there's still a bit of hesitation on my part to put those steps in action. Still, I needed that advice because I've been feeling a bit stagnant even with the handing out of business cards and self study. It's time to do what's necessary to get the word out about my business if I'm going to be serious about it.

QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor - Online

I just took a major step in my entrepreneurial journey. I have completed and earned my first QuickBooks certificate and am now a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online. I can hardly contain my excitement.

I obtained this certification by completing the five training modules available on my QuickBooks Online account. These modules provided an overview of the program and covered topics such as recording transactions, reporting capabilities, and troubleshooting client errors.

Along with my experience using QuickBooks Pro 2009, I feel even more capable of providing top notch services to small businesses that could use my help. With this certification, I am that much closer to realizing my dream of having my own business.

Still, this is just Phase One. There is much more room to grow and even much more to learn. What I have planned on the horizon will only help to solidify my efforts in becoming my own boss. I'm still looking for networking opportunities and still overcoming my hesitations in regards to this endeavor. The lingering effects of fear are slowly dying away, making room for hope and determination.

I can see my growth and know that, ultimately, I will win. I just have to continue to learn and persevere regardless of what challenges come my way.

Podcasts... Everyday

I'm all about growth and personal development and since I've begun my venture into entrepreneurship, I've been more focused on what to feed my brain. I look for books and articles to provide me with knowledge and advice to taking my thinking to the next year. Last year, when I got my iPhone, I discovered the wonderful world of podcasts and I've been hooked ever since.

For inspiration, enlightenment, and intellectual stimulation in general, the podcasts I've listened to over the past year have stoked the flames of a fire that I struggled to light myself. Individuals like Pat Flynn, Ryan Moran, and the always entertaining Gary Vaynerchuk, have dropped valuable informational jewels in my path that are hard to resist picking up even if I wanted to.

Also, I love to watch Mad Money and to have each Jim Cramer-filled episode just a tap away excites me to no end. Each day, I'm anxiously await what fantastic tips he'll provide in regards to taking on the monster known as the Stock Market.

Here is a lot of my top ten podcasts that I listen to regularly to learn and grow as an entrepreneur:

1. The Smart Passive Income Podcast with Pat Flynn

2. Freedom Fast Lane with Ryan Moran

3. The #AskGaryVee Show with Gary Vaynerchuk

4. Mad Money with Jim Cramer

5. High-Income Business Writing with Ed Gandia

6. The Content Warfare Podcast with Ryan Hanley

7. CNBC's "Fast Money"

8. Entrepreneur on Fire with John Lee Dumas

9. StartUp Podcast with Alex Blumberg

10. How to Start a Startup Podcast

If you're looking to become and entrepreneur, I recommend taking some time to listen to some of these podcasts. The wealth of knowledge these podcasts can provide will help you lay a strong foundation upon which to build your future entrepreneurial endeavors.

I Feel Stuck

Here I am.

The fourth week since I went all "entrepreneur" and initiated my business's online presence and created business cards. Then, I felt a rush with my head held high in the fantasies of business ownership. Now, I've hit a wall, clueless on what my next move should be.

I've handed out business cards to those in my network I see regularly. I find myself hesitating at first, but I'm able to skirt pass that feeling and place the card in their hands. I have so many business cards that I walk around with the mindset of, "I've got to get rid of them." That's the best way to put them to work.

I've posted to my business's blog each of the last three weeks. It makes me feel like I know what I'm talking about each time I write a new post. It also helps keep my business at the forefront of my mind.

I know starting a business is a marathon, especially if I want to give my business the best chance to succeed. Unfortunately, there's a side of me that's impatient and wants to be overran with clientele even before my next blog post dries.

For the time being, the books and podcasts (More on this in the next blog post) I've been perusing have provided a wealth of information that I'm certain will improve my chances of entrepreneurial success. Keeping myself occupied with learning calms the impatient side of me a bit. I'll keep making strides and eventually I'll have a successful business venture on my hands.

Oh, yeah ... I almost forgot. I start a GoFundMe page.

Still Building the Foundation

I've determined that I have a ways to go to start attracting clients. I knew that would be the case, but the initial euphoric feeling I felt after doing a few minor tasks had me briefly delusional. Now the real work must begin.

Although I have a background in bookkeeping and accounting, I realize I need to shore up what I know with some credentials. Those credentials will help me in the long run as far as gaining clients. While, ultimately, I plan on becoming a CPA, right now I want to become a QuickBooks ProAdvisor and an Enrolled Agent. From what I've read, having these two designations will help establish me as a credible bookkeeper.

Part of me feels that I can still attract a few clients prior to obtaining these credentials. I have the knowledge and know that whatever I may lack, I can learn as I go. So, my next steps will include finding some local networking events to attend, joining a professional organization (bookkeeping related or not), and plastering Indianapolis with my business cards.

I may even have a couple opportunities to work with some friends that are entrepreneurs as well, but it's far too early to tell. It would be great if those brief mentions can become flesh-and-blood clients. In the meantime, maybe the strides that I share on social media will help push them closer to hiring me.

This business endeavor has my brain sparking on all cylinders every hour of the day. Makes it hard to sleep with all the thoughts and excitement swirling around in my head. I must say that if I have to lose sleep over something, I'm glad it's this.

Starting my business

A week ago, I told a friend about my desire to start my own business and told her about my fears concerning it. After I finished talking, she encouraged me to give it a try. She told me that I had to move pass that fear. And I listened.

That night, and well into the wee hours of the next day, I bought a domain name (equitablebookkeeping.com), ordered business cards, pulled out the informal business plan I'd been working on, and created a website. I felt like it was really about to happen. 

It's been a week now and I'm still trying to figure out what to do next. I'm still waiting on my business cards. I've done as much tinkering as I'm going to do with my website and created a blog (http://home.equitablebookkeeping.com/blog). I even bought a company logo. 

As far as I can tell, I'm ready for clients. 

Now I just have to figure out how to get them. I've let my friends and family know about my new endeavor via social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn). Hopefully that will bring some work. I'm also looking for other avenues to explore for potential clients. 

Honestly, the fear is still there. I can feel it creeping up as I determine what my next move will be. I will fight it off because I want this business to become something successful. I want this business to be one of my major life achievements.