Disclaimer: Startup Hive does not provide legal advice, nor do we guarantee any return on investment.

Embarking on the entrepreneurial journey requires more than just passion; it demands a strategic roadmap that serves as a guiding force. A well-crafted business plan emerges as the cornerstone of a successful venture, offering a detailed blueprint that provides clarity on business goals, target markets, and operational strategies.

Guidance and Direction

At its core, a business plan serves as a compass for entrepreneurs. It goes beyond a mere document, outlining the business vision, mission, and objectives. This strategic roadmap becomes your guiding light, helping you make informed decisions and stay focused on your goals even amid challenges.

Attracting Investors and Partners

Investors and partners are discerning, seeking ventures that exhibit professionalism and credibility. A solid business plan becomes the key to unlocking funding opportunities and partnerships. It offers potential investors a comprehensive view of your business concept, financial projections, and growth strategies, showcasing the potential for a successful collaboration.

Operational Efficiency

Operational excellence is vital for any successful business, and a well-crafted business plan significantly contributes to this aspect. By detailing business operations, responsibilities, and workflows, the plan ensures a clear understanding among team members. This fosters a culture of efficiency, allowing your venture to operate seamlessly and achieve optimal results.

Risk Mitigation

In the dynamic business landscape, uncertainties abound, making effective risk management crucial. A business plan, through thorough market research and financial analysis, identifies potential risks and challenges. Armed with this insight, entrepreneurs can proactively develop strategies for risk mitigation, safeguarding the business against unforeseen obstacles.

Communication Tool

Communication lies at the heart of successful collaborations and partnerships. Your business plan serves as a powerful communication tool, effectively conveying your business concept to team members, stakeholders, and external parties. It fosters alignment and understanding, ensuring everyone involved shares a common vision and purpose.

Key Elements of a Business Plan

• • Executive Summary: Concise overview of your business, its mission, and goals.
  • Business Description: Detailed description of your business, including its history, mission, and vision.
  • Market Analysis: In-depth research on your industry, target market, and competitors.
  • Organizational Structure: Outline of your business’s structure, including key roles and responsibilities.
  • Products/Services: Description of your offerings and their unique selling points.
  • Marketing Strategy: Plan for promoting and selling your products or services
  • Financial Projections: Forecast of your business’s financial performance.
  • Customer Fulfillment Plan: Strategies for delivering value and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Next Steps: Developing an Operations Manual

Why an Operations Manual is Important:

• • Consistency: Ensures consistent and standardized operations across all aspects of your business.
  • Training and Onboarding: Facilitates smooth training and onboarding processes for new employees.
  • Efficiency: Enhances operational efficiency by providing clear guidelines for tasks and responsibilities.
  • Scalability: Aids in scaling your business by providing a structured framework for growth.
  • Continuity: Acts as a contingency plan, ensuring business continuity even in the absence of key personnel.

In conclusion, a well-crafted business plan is not just a document; it is a strategic ally on the path to entrepreneurial success. As you embark on this journey, consider downloading our comprehensive FREE Business Plan Suite. And remember, the next ideal step after a business plan is developing an operations manual – a key to ensuring the smooth, efficient, and scalable functioning of your business. Your success story begins with a strategic plan – let’s build it together!

To your success,

— The Startup Hive TEAM.

At Startup Hive, we help creative entrepreneurs thrive beyond the gig economy by taking control of their financial life. If you consider yourself creative enough to get at least one of your ideas off the ground, we are here for it. 

Schedule a call and let us help you help people.

A business consultant advises you through specific problems that need to be resolved; a business coach walks with you, and a project manager works for you during an extended period of time to complete a specific project.

As a creative entrepreneur, you’re well aware that building a successful business requires expertise, guidance, and effective management. In your journey, you may have come across terms like consultant, coach, and project manager. But what exactly do they do, and how can you leverage their services to maximize your business potential? In this article, we’ll delve into the nuances of these roles, exploring their unique contributions and helping you understand when and how to utilize each one. 

So, let’s dive in and unravel the world of business support.

1. The Consultant: Nurturing your Problem-Solving Partnerships

When you find yourself facing specific challenges or seeking expert advice on complex business matters, a consultant becomes your go-to resource. Unlike a coach or project manager, a consultant is brought in to analyze problems, offer strategic solutions, and implement tailored recommendations.

Here’s what you need to know:

Understanding the Consultant’s Role:
Consultants bring specialized knowledge and experience to address specific pain points in your business. They conduct thorough assessments, diagnose issues, and collaborate closely with you to develop effective solutions.

Building Successful Consultant-Client Relationships:
Learn how to foster open communication, trust, and collaboration to ensure a productive partnership with your consultant.

Understanding the Consultant’s Role:
Consultants bring specialized knowledge and experience to address specific pain points in your business. They conduct thorough assessments, diagnose issues, and collaborate closely with you to develop effective solutions.

Building Successful Consultant-Client Relationships:
Learn how to foster open communication, trust, and collaboration to ensure a productive partnership with your consultant.

Fundamental Principles and Practices:

Consulting involves providing expert advice, analysis, and recommendations to organizations or individuals seeking external expertise. Consultants typically have specialized knowledge in a specific field and are hired to solve specific problems or challenges. 

Key principles and practices of consulting include:

• Expertise and Specialized Knowledge: Consultants bring deep knowledge and expertise in specific domains or industries. They offer objective insights, best practices, and recommendations based on their experience and analysis.
• Problem-Solving and Solution-Oriented Approach: Consultants assess the client’s challenges, analyze data, and develop solutions. They provide recommendations and strategies for addressing specific issues, often with a focus on efficiency, profitability, or market positioning.
• Diagnostic and Analytical Skills: Consultants employ analytical techniques to diagnose problems, assess current processes, and identify areas for improvement. They may use data analysis, benchmarking, and market research to support their recommendations.
• Implementation Support: Consultants often support the implementation of their recommendations by providing guidance, project management, and change management support. They may assist with executing action plans, monitoring progress, and evaluating results.

Leveraging the Consultant’s Expertise:

Identifying the right consultant, establishing clear objectives, and maximizing the value of their insights and recommendations are crucial steps in leveraging the expertise of consultants effectively. 

Here’s a guide to help you in this process:

• Define Your Needs and Objectives: Start by clearly identifying your specific needs and objectives. Determine the pain points, challenges, or opportunities you want the consultant to address. Outline the desired outcomes and milestones you want to achieve through their engagement. This clarity will help you find a consultant with the right expertise and align your expectations.
• Seek Recommendations and Conduct Research: Ask for recommendations from trusted sources, such as colleagues, industry associations, or professional networks. Research potential consultants’ backgrounds, expertise, and track records. Look for case studies, client testimonials, and online reviews to assess their reputation and success in similar projects. Narrow down your options based on their relevant experience and industry knowledge.
• Evaluate Fit and Expertise: Schedule initial meetings or interviews with the shortlisted consultants to evaluate their fit with your organization. Discuss your needs and objectives, and ask about their approach, methodologies, and past successes in similar projects. Assess their communication style, understanding of your industry, and compatibility with your organizational culture. Consider their expertise, but also their ability to collaborate and adapt to your unique needs.

2. The Coach: Empowering Growth and Personal Development

When you’re seeking holistic support and guidance in your entrepreneurial journey, a business coach can provide the tools and mindset to help you unlock your full potential.
Coaches focus on your personal and professional growth, offering guidance, accountability, and support along the way:

Defining the Role of a Business Coach:
Understand the fundamental principles and practices of coaching and how they differ from consulting or project management.

Identifying Areas for Coaching:
Explore the various aspects of your business where a coach can help, such as goal setting, time management, leadership development, and mindset shifts.

Maximizing the Coaching Experience:
Find the right coach who aligns with your values and goals, and learn how to effectively engage in coaching sessions to drive personal and business growth.

Fundamental Principles and Practices:

Coaching is a collaborative process aimed at unlocking an individual’s potential, facilitating personal and professional growth, and achieving specific goals. It focuses on empowering individuals or teams to discover their own solutions and develop their capabilities. 

Key principles and practices of coaching include:

• Client-Centered Approach: Coaching is centered around the client’s needs, goals, and aspirations. The coach creates a safe and supportive environment for the client to explore their challenges, strengths, and possibilities.
• Active Listening and Powerful Questions: Coaches actively listen to their clients, seeking to understand their perspectives and concerns deeply. They ask thought-provoking questions that help the client gain insights, discover new perspectives, and generate creative solutions.
• Goal Setting and Action Planning: Coaches work with clients to set meaningful and achievable goals. They support the client in creating action plans and developing strategies to overcome obstacles, fostering accountability and progress.
• Strength-Based Approach: Coaches focus on identifying and leveraging the client’s strengths, talents, and resources. They help clients build self-awareness, develop their potential, and capitalize on their strengths to drive success.

Leveraging the Coach’s Expertise:

To leverage a coach’s expertise effectively, follow these key steps:

• Clearly Define Your Goals: Start by clearly defining your goals and desired outcomes. Identify the specific areas where you seek improvement, growth, or support. Articulate your objectives in a way that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART goals).
• Select a Coach with Relevant Expertise: Choose a coach who possesses the specific expertise and experience relevant to your goals. Research coaches who specialize in the areas you want to focus on, such as leadership development, career transitions, or personal growth. Look for coaches who have a track record of success and positive client testimonials.
• Establish Trust and Rapport: Build a foundation of trust and rapport with your coach. Openly communicate your needs, concerns, and expectations. Share relevant information about yourself, your strengths, weaknesses, and any challenges you’re facing. A strong coach-client relationship is vital for effective collaboration.
• Embrace Active Participation: Actively engage in the coaching process. Be open to exploring new perspectives, challenging assumptions, and experimenting with new behaviors or strategies. Take responsibility for your growth and progress. Show up to coaching sessions prepared, ready to discuss your progress, insights, and challenges.
• Seek Guidance and Feedback: Leverage your coach’s expertise by seeking their guidance and feedback. They can provide insights, best practices, and strategies based on their experience and knowledge. Discuss your concerns, ask questions, and seek their perspective on specific situations or decisions. Be receptive to their feedback and suggestions.
• Practice Self-Reflection: Take time for self-reflection between coaching sessions. Consider the insights and recommendations provided by your coach. Reflect on your own experiences, observations, and actions. Apply what you’ve learned in real-life situations and evaluate the outcomes. Self-reflection enhances your ability to internalize and apply the coach’s expertise effectively.
• Collaborate on Action Plans: Work collaboratively with your coach to develop action plans. These plans should outline the specific steps, behaviors, or strategies you will implement to achieve your goals. Co-create action plans that align with your strengths, values, and preferences. Leverage your coach’s expertise to identify potential obstacles and develop strategies to overcome them.
• Regularly Review Progress: Regularly review your progress with your coach. Evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies implemented and discuss any challenges or setbacks encountered. Adjust your approach as necessary based on your coach’s guidance and insights. Regular progress reviews ensure that you stay on track and make necessary adjustments to achieve your desired outcomes.
• Leverage Resources and Tools: Utilize any resources or tools recommended by your coach. These may include assessments, readings, exercises, or additional learning materials. Leverage these resources to deepen your understanding, build new skills, and reinforce the insights and strategies provided by your coach.
• Maintain Accountability: Hold yourself accountable for your growth and development. Stay committed to the actions and commitments you make during the coaching process. Take ownership of your progress and make the necessary adjustments to stay on track.

3. The Project Manager: Orchestrating Success, One Project at a Time

Understanding the Role of a Project Manager:
Project managers take charge of organizing and overseeing project timelines, resources, budgets, and teams to bring your ideas to life.

The Project Management Lifecycle:
They take care of your project from initiation to closure; and gain insights into the key stages and best practices for your project, ensuring a successful outcome.

Collaborating Effectively with Project Managers:
Establish clear project objectives, provide the necessary information, and foster strong communication to enable project managers to deliver exceptional results.

Fundamental Principles and Practices:

Project management involves planning, organizing, and overseeing the execution of specific projects to achieve defined objectives within constraints such as time, cost, and scope. 

Key principles and practices of project management include:

• Clear Project Scope and Objectives: Project managers define the scope, objectives, and deliverables of a project in collaboration with stakeholders. They ensure that project goals align with the overall organizational objectives.
• Planning and Resource Management: Project managers develop project plans, including timelines, milestones, and resource allocation. They coordinate resources, manage budgets, and monitor progress to ensure timely completion.
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Project managers identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize their impact on project success. They monitor risks throughout the project and make necessary adjustments to keep the project on track.
• Team Coordination and Communication: Project managers facilitate effective communication and collaboration among team members, stakeholders, and other relevant parties. They manage relationships, resolve conflicts, and keep stakeholders informed about project progress.

Leveraging the Expertise of a Project Manager:

• Request Proposals and References: Ask the top candidates to provide detailed proposals that outline their understanding of your needs, their proposed methodologies, timelines, and estimated costs. Request references from their past clients to gain insights into their working style, deliverables, and client satisfaction. Contact these references to validate the project manager’s credibility and results.
• Establish Clear Expectations and Scope: Once you have chosen a project manager, ensure that both parties have a clear understanding of the engagement’s scope, deliverables, and timeline. Define key milestones, reporting structures, and communication channels. Set realistic expectations regarding outcomes, budget, and any potential limitations or constraints.
• Foster Open Communication and Collaboration: Maintain open and transparent communication throughout the engagement. Provide the project manager with access to necessary information, data, and key stakeholders within your organization. Encourage regular progress updates, address any concerns promptly, and actively participate in discussions and decision-making processes.
• Actively Engage in the Process: Maximize the value of the project manager’s insights and recommendations by actively engaging in the process. Attend meetings, workshops, and presentations. Provide constructive feedback, ask questions, and challenge assumptions when necessary. Collaborate with the project manager to co-create solutions and ensure their recommendations align with your organizational goals and values.
• Implement and Measure Results: Once the project manager’s recommendations are provided, develop an action plan for implementation. Assign responsibilities, allocate resources, and establish a monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress. Regularly assess the impact of the project manager’s insights and measure results against the defined objectives.
• Maintain a Long-Term Relationship: Consider building a long-term relationship with your project manager if their insights, work and recommendations prove valuable. They can provide ongoing support, periodic check-ins, and assistance in tackling new projects or leveraging emerging opportunities. This continued partnership can lead to further growth and success for your organization.

Conclusion

As a creative entrepreneur, you have a range of professionals at your disposal to support your business journey. Consultants, coaches, and project managers each play a distinct role in addressing your needs, guiding your growth, and bringing your ideas to fruition. By understanding the unique contributions of these roles, you can strategically leverage their expertise to maximize your business potential. So, embrace the power of collaboration, seek the right support when needed, and propel your creative enterprise to new heights.

Remember, the success of your business lies not only in your talents but also in your ability to navigate the ever-changing landscape of entrepreneurship. With the right team of consultants, coaches, and project managers by your side, you can confidently tackle challenges, nurture personal growth, and execute projects with precision.

So, whether you’re at a crossroads and need targeted problem-solving, seeking personal development and accountability, or looking to bring your ambitious projects to life, understanding the distinctions between consultants, coaches, and project managers is crucial. 

Here’s a quick recap of their roles and how to maximize their potential:

While there may be some overlap in certain situations, coaching primarily focuses on supporting individual growth and development, consulting on providing expert advice and recommendations, and project management on planning and executing specific projects. Each discipline has its unique approaches, methodologies, and areas of emphasis to address different organizational or individual needs.

Consultants:
Engage consultants when you require specialized knowledge and expertise to address specific challenges or implement strategic solutions. Choose consultants based on their industry experience, track record, and their ability to collaborate effectively with you. Clearly communicate your objectives and work closely with consultants to derive the most value from their recommendations.

Coaches:
Invest in coaching when you’re looking for holistic support and personal development. Coaches can guide you in setting goals, developing effective strategies, improving time management, and enhancing your leadership skills. Find a coach who resonates with your values and goals, and actively participate in coaching sessions to unlock your full potential.

Project Managers:
Collaborate with project managers to ensure the successful execution of your projects. They will handle the planning, coordination, and oversight of project timelines, resources, budgets, and teams. Provide clear project objectives, maintain open communication channels, and empower project managers to lead and deliver exceptional results.

The key to harnessing the power of these professionals lies in establishing strong relationships based on trust, effective communication, and shared goals. Be proactive in seeking support when needed, and view these professionals as partners in your entrepreneurial journey.

Lastly, keep in mind that the distinction between these roles may not always be rigid, as some professionals may possess a combination of skills and expertise. The important factor is aligning their strengths with your specific needs and finding the right individuals who can propel your business forward.

By leveraging the expertise of consultants, coaches, and project managers, you’ll gain a competitive advantage, overcome obstacles more efficiently, and maximize your business’s potential for success. Embrace the power of collaboration and watch your creative enterprise thrive.

So, take the leap and embrace the wealth of knowledge and support available to you. Your journey as a creative entrepreneur is unique, and with the right team of consultants, coaches, and project managers by your side, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.

To your success,

The Startup Hive TEAM

At Startup Hive, we help creative entrepreneurs thrive beyond the gig economy by taking control of their financial life. If you consider yourself creative enough to get at least one of your ideas off the ground, we are here for it. 

Schedule a Discovery Call and let us help you help people.

Disclaimer: Startup Hive does not provide legal advice, nor do we guarantee any return on investment.

In business, scaling is when you expand at a faster rate than you take on new costs. Scaling is important if you want to serve as many people as possible without putting in the same work each time.

Scaling is more than just increasing revenue; for example, if you are a freelancer, and only focus on revenue, you would have to add more clients to your portfolio. You can only have so many clients because you only have 24 hours a day. 

In order to scale successfully, you should also think of ways that you can increase your productivity with less input (including costs and labor). This means finding more creative ways for your business to work without your physical presence required. This is also called leverage: being able to do something once, and get paid for it many times over and over again.

Have an Exit Strategy

Here are some examples of exit strategies:

• Take your business public with an IPO 
• Liquidate by selling all the assets
• Sell your shares to your partners or your employees
• Merge with another company
• Pass on the business to a family member

Set up a Formal Business Structure

Take the time to do your due diligence and study all the structures so that you know which one is best suitable for your circumstances. Hire a professional attorney whenever possible. 

Make sure to keep your business tax-compliant. Keep a separate bank account for your business to avoid intermingling business expenses with personal ones. Keep track of your income and expenses and hire an accountant or bookkeeper whenever possible.

Four things to consider before planning your estate and choosing a business structure:

• Liability: protect your personal assets from business lawsuits 
• Privacy: protect your private information and public image 
• Taxes: work with a tax planner who can see your big picture
• Probate: use trusts (there are many types) to pass down your business, real estate, and other assets to your heirs and avoid the long and overrated probate process.

Get Organized

• Business Finances (this includes bank accounts, invoices, and receipts)
• Business Taxes (for both federal and state taxes)
• Marketing Materials 
• Legal agreements and contracts
• Time Management (how much time do you spend doing what task?): this is the most important aspect of your organization because you can use this to hire, delegate tasks, and train employees in the future.

Create a Budget and Growth Plan

• Know how much it costs you to run the business: Do this by setting up spreadsheets for both income and expenses so that everything gets tracked properly over time.
• Create a spending plan: Make sure that you have enough money coming in each month to pay for all of your expenses (including taxes). It’s also important that you set aside some money for growth, as well as an emergency fund in case something unexpected happens.

To better visualize and plan out your exit strategy, create a growth plan. Start with your big picture in mind (your exit strategy). Outline your goals and expectations for the next 5 years, and then write down the most important areas to focus on during the first year.

Invest in the Right Tools

Along with tangible and intangible tools (like software and intellectual property), make sure to also invest in:

• Your Education: this is a cost that can never go to waste. Take the time to learn as much as you can about your industry, your market, your products and services, and your target audience. You need to know these things to develop a robust marketing guide for your company. 
• Your Story: One important aspect of your marketing plan is how you tell your story. Make sure that your message is consistent across every platform and that you use your words and your story to empower the people around you. Depending on your industry, you may consider investing in hiring a brand consultant, a publicist, or even public speaking lessons.
• Your Network: What you know can get you far, but who you know will get you all the way. You can learn faster by spending more time with people who know something that you don’t. So join local organizations and participate in events that will benefit you and your community in the long run. 
• Your Processes: How does a food truck owner scale into becoming a franchisor? If your exit strategy is to own the license to the business model and generate passive income for life, then the most important aspect of your business is the system that you build around it. Take the time to carefully record your fulfillment process and everything that it takes to run your business, including the routes, recipes, uniform, and even the specific words that you use to greet your customers. Once you’ve done that, think of the ways that you can use automation to avoid repeating the same processes.

Conclusion

Not every business is scalable, but all businesses can have an exit strategy. So start there first. Then think of all the possible ways to get you there without repeating the same tasks for too long. See yourself in every aspect of your business and move through them as fast as you can until you are in the position that you want to be in: the owner of a successful organization that functions with or without you in it. 

If you need help thinking of creative ways to scale your business, book a Discovery Call with one of our consultants. Our goal is to help you ignite the spark that will bring in at least $100k in revenue within the first year of your business operations.

To your success,

—The Startup Hive Team.

At Startup Hive, we help creative entrepreneurs thrive beyond the gig economy by taking control of their financial life. If you consider yourself creative enough to get at least one of your ideas off the ground, we are here for it. 

Schedule a Discovery Call and let us help you help people.

Disclaimer: Startup Hive does not provide legal advice, nor do we guarantee any return on investment.

Do you have multiple business ideas and don’t know what to focus on first? Then you may be a multipotentialite. A multipotentialite is someone who has many interests and can excel in many fields instead of just one. If you are a very creative person and also have many intellectual interests, then this is for you.

“A jack of all trades may be a master of none but is oftentimes better than a master of one trade” (this is the full quote). So use this gift as an advantage and develop it into a business (or more than one). Start by making an inventory of your hobbies (all the things that you enjoy doing in your free time).

Figure out your strengths and skills

You are a Creator and not a robot; so your business idea should excite you as much as it does the people you will be serving. 

Once you’ve figured out what your hobbies are, begin to identify the skills and strengths that allow you to enjoy them. Some people have a natural ability for or interest in coding or playing music, for example. Others may be more drawn to writing and storytelling. Others still might find themselves drawn towards sports—no matter what path you choose towards entrepreneurship, it will take some introspection.

Asking yourself these questions can help:

• What are my strengths? What am I naturally good at doing? 
• What experience have I accumulated throughout the past few years?

How can I use those strengths in conjunction with my current hobby activities? How could they make me money while also providing value to others? In other words: What do I do well enough that someone would pay me for it?

Create a portfolio website to show off your work

In this FREE Guide, you can learn about the importance of having a personal website even if you’re a freelancer or are still an employee because it’s the best way to display your resume in this digital age.

Be sure to also get a professional email associated with your domain. If you want to be able to build business credit in the future, you will need one anyways, so why not get one now? Even if you don’t know what to offer yet, own your domain name, then build a landing page, like this one, and post it to your social media profiles.

Be sure to include examples of your work so that people can get an idea of what they might expect when they hire you.

Make it easy for people to find you

Make a list of all the social media platforms that you are familiar with and choose approximately 3 of them to join. Make sure that the platform is where your target audience actually spends their time.  

Make it easy for people to find you by having a profile handle that is easy to remember, which is also very closely associated with your domain name. 

People will not seek you out. You need to make it easy for them to find you by creating content that is relatable to them and to the services that you provide. It would not hurt to learn some SEO techniques along the way. 

Once you’ve got your portfolio website all set up, add it to all of your social media accounts so that someone can easily click through and get a sense of who you are, and what kind of work you do.

If you are able to, get listed in as many directories as possible. There’s always going to be some level of competition when it comes to listing yourself as an expert online; however, there isn’t any other multipotentialite creator as unique as you so no one else can take your spot as long as you believe in your potential.

Think like a project manager

As a multipotentialite, the best skill to develop is the ability to manage a project from its conception to its completion. In this particular case, you ARE the project. Start by managing yourself first by being organized about the various services that you can offer as a freelancer, and record all your processes; this will make it easy for you to hire in the future. 

When you hire, you will then be responsible for making sure that your team completes the project on time and within budget.

• Plan your projects
• Manage the projects by delegating specific tasks
• Deliver on time (underpromise and overdeliver) 
• Measure success

Get paid what you’re worth

When you’re building a business around your creative pursuits, or any other hobby or interest, it’s important to get paid what you’re worth. If you don’t know what your skills are worth—or if you haven’t had the confidence to demand that value from others—it can be easy to undersell yourself and eventually you’ll burn out. 

Price your services and products well. If you price too low, potential clients and customers might assume that the quality is low; if you price too high, your target audience may not be able to afford it. So do your due diligence and find out what your competitors are charging.

In order to earn money from your creative pursuits, there are three things that must happen:

• You have to have something of value to offer (something customers are willing to and will pay for)
• Customers must believe that it is worth paying for it (and understand how much they should pay)
• You must be able to take their money in exchange for this valuable thing. So make it easy for them to pay you electronically.

Communicate clearly

Be very clear about what you want to do before you offer your services. If your goal is to just survive, you might as well stay in the gig economy. If your goal is to get wealthy, then think about the big picture so that you’re not a freelancer for too long. 

This may seem obvious but many people often focus on their own benefits, instead of thinking about what other people want first. They’re so excited about their idea that all they can imagine is getting rich quickly without putting any effort into making sure that the idea itself has merit first. Start a company that will create value for customers by solving problems or improving their lives in some way. If you do it well, you’re bound to be successful. 

With others:

Be clear about what you want from followers, clients, and customers, and also let them know, from the get-go, what to expect from you when working with you.

A lot goes into being able to deliver high-quality work consistently while also honoring deadlines; have a clear conversation before any commitments are made so that everyone knows where they stand. And when everything is clear, put it into a written agreement whenever you can, so that you can avoid trouble and miscommunication down the line.

We hope that this article gave you some clarity and insight into what your next business venture will be. If you are still a bit confused, we can help. Schedule a one-hour conversation with one of our consultants and get started on your business today!

To your success,

— The Startup Hive TEAM

At Startup Hive, we help creative entrepreneurs thrive beyond the gig economy by taking control of their financial life. If you consider yourself creative enough to get at least one of your ideas off the ground, we are here for it. 

Schedule a Discovery Call and let us help you help people.