When starting a small business growth feels like conquering a mountain. A mountain like this one:
How do you define growth?
Growth is going to be different for every company and business. I think the obvious concept of growth is gaining “more clients.”
My idea of growth is stability.
Stability included a focus on:
- Time management
- A proper brand identity for Behzadi Consulting
- Find one client outside of Buffalo
Time Management | More Time for Growth
Time management is still an important battle for any business owner. This year I invested in two major social media programs with Buffer for scheduling and Sprout Social for my analytics and engagement. Many clients bring their own social media to the table, but logging in and out of multiple accounts brought a lot of time waste. I found a way to streamline all of my clients into two programs which make it easier to explain information, examine results, and craft content
Brand Identity | Network Growth
Brand identity for my own business included a website redesign, new business cards, and also inserting myself into the Buffalo network. I joined multiple volunteer organizations in the area including Creative Mornings Buffalo and StartupGrind Buffalo. I’ve joined the committee for the Buffalo International Jewish Film Festival and I am trying to make an effort to become active in the alumni network for my MBA program. I’ve also established the blog series, here, where I try to post once a week. Having a consistent presence and being seen is a very natural way to enhance my brand’s identity.
Clients | Growth Outside the Locals
My final growth goal included hiring a non-local client. Now, I love Buffalo, and I hope to continue to work with local businesses. But as the freelancing community grows, I wanted to gain a client without a tie to my city. This was a challenge to test my ability to pitch my services, sell my value, and build trust with a stranger. I joined the Cloud Peeps community back in March of this year. Over the months I worked on my storefront and tried to hone my pitch, which reminded me of the experience of perfecting a cover letter. Month over month, I’ve received a few phone calls, a few emails, but nothing to secure the deal. I finished out a local contract and even started developing two new proposals for new local clients. Throughout my Cloud Peeps journey, I learned what pitches earned me a response and what seemed to resonate with potential clients. Over the weekend I was finally hired as a social media manager for a business in Los Angeles. This year-long stability helped secure the funds for my social media software (see how they work together?)
I’m very excited to close out 2016. I have learned a lot about growth and realize I will grow at my own pace.
Is your organization looking to grow its social media presence? Drop me a note and we’ll grow together in 2017!
I am disappointed by those that dismiss part-time work. Without going into commentary about wealth and classes, it is my personal believe that part-time work for all ages can be beneficial and educational. I got my first job at fourteen and I was a glorious busser and the to-go-girl at a Grecian restaurant. Skills required? Not many. But I learned how to quickly answer calls, memorize the side dishes of meals, and how to keep organized during a Saturday night rush. If you want to throw out some buzz words you can try organizational skills, the ability to remain calm and clear-minded under pressure and so on. You are not lying, you are simply rewording your skills into a language your next employer might be more privy to hearing. When I read scripts and preview films for festivals, I now have an eye and understanding for a restaurant experience. I can recognize what is authentic and what is completely unrealistic.
Third example of repurposing skills. I work with an organization that sells organic non-dairy milk (think almond milk). When I was an undergraduate I worked as a barista on campus. I learned how to make americanos, cappuccinos, lattes, and all the customizations in-between minus the pretty designs (no time for that). Why did this matter? We were discussing the uses of non-dairy milk besides straight consumption. One of the drawbacks I see with non-dairy milks is the inability to froth or foam the milk because of a lack of protein. I have failed many times to make a soy latte actually have a solid layer of foam. Recipes and products have improved with time, but when non-dairy milks first entered the market they were a barista’s nightmare because no praying, shaking, or frothing could help. I connected a real case study to a current product.
No one starts out as an expert, either in business or in marathons. My running experience started less than five years ago with a “Couch to 5K” sort of app. I remember the starting days when running 00:17 seconds on a treadmill made my lungs feel like they were on fire. Over the years I had slowly worked myself up to running half-marathons but I knew a marathon would require real training. I joined the local running group, Checkers Athletic Club, and each week I had a new training regiment to help prepare me for the race over 18 weeks. In the midst of my own marathon race I met a woman who was struggling with her first marathona s much as I was. We banded together and ran the second half of the race together, at different points encouraging each other. I would have quit without her. She would have quit without me. She’s someone I will never ever forget. I still wish today I had grabbed a photo with her then – but we are both Facebook friends so I’m glad we can keep in touch.
Complacency is not the exact word I’d choose when you run a marathon. There is no fun complacent spot for a first-time marathoner, in my opinion. My only goal was to finish. What I can say, however, is that it is easy to fall behind the pace you set for yourself. My marathon involved four hours of cold rain and high wind conditions. Running alongside water made the rain move sideways. It was not a downpour but it certainly wasn’t fun either. It took a real toll on my mental strength and I definitely slowed down throughout the race. But at the final mile, my boyfriend was standing on the sidelines and started running alongside me. He reminded me to give everything I had and that last mile was a sprint to the end, I have a glorious photo of my pained face to remind myself. Never forget to give everything you have because you only get one chance run your first marathon,
