My biz baby, All In Advisory, is 5 this month - wowee 😮. I mean gosh it’s nearly ready for school, right?
Owning a biz has been a wild ride full of up’s and down’s (in the same day) but I wouldn’t change it for anything. This milestone has led me to reflect on my business journey, the successes, and failures. So in the spirit of sharing to help others do better business, here is the advice I would tell my younger self:
1. Jump ALL IN earlier – I was afraid of jumping into the big unknown, worried about the could haves and maybes, creating excuses and waiting for the perfect time. Heads up there is no perfect time you just have to work with what you got, kind of like having children, haha.
2. Throw away the corporate mask (stomp on it, rip it up, burn it), be yourself, every single part. Your team and customers/clients will connect with you and who you are not what you think they want you to be. The authenticity will cut through, just be you (everyone else is taken right!)
3. Be clear of your Why, story and what you are delivering. Be crystal clear on what you do and don’t do. Who is your ideal client? Market? What are you offering? What makes you different? Shout it from the mountain tops (consistently) with team/contacts/networks. Use the power of social media (you can punch well above your weight here).
4. Only work/partner with team/clients/networks that are aligned to your Why. Trust your gut on this one. Don’t be afraid to say NO and yes that word can be a full sentence. Every time we went against our gut we got burnt. It makes work and relationships more enjoyable for everyone if you get this right.
5. You have supercalafragalisticexpialadoshus value, don’t discount (no matter what), price right from the very beginning. Don’t be afraid to charge what you are worth, ie, don’t buy a sale. If the client can’t afford your services or doesn’t value it they are NOT the right client for you.
6. Don’t worry about the revenue, it will come. Focus on your financial foundations first so that when the revenue does arrive you can turn it into profit and cash. Also ensuring you have the right resources around you, whether it be suppliers, team, networks so you can deliver is super dooper important. And hey, we run a great workshop on this one, so next time you see it pop up why not register yourself 😉
Finally, here is a pic of the ALL IN crew being ourselves and not worried that this might not be what people think a typical accountant should act or look like because why not!
My team bring me so much joy and are superstars and I am proud of them. So go get em and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t have it all, because you can!
Disclaimer: The information provided is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice