Growing a business, I'm guessing, is a lot like raising a child. You conceive an idea, push out a product, shape and influence it to the point that it stands on its own and hopefully, no longer needs your constant, obsessive attention. Perhaps by that point you're on baby #2.
Right now, Freedom Cleaning is definitely in its infancy.We served our first client on Nov. 8., so we're carrying barely a 4-month old. At this stage, the baby demands full attention. If you don't keep your eyes on the goal of growing, it's easy to be lulled into complacency. Whether you're pushing meals, shoes, real estate, or cleaning services, as a small business owner, you have to stay hungry.
I'm starting to believe that business is more of an art form than a science. You have to keep one foot grounded in the reality of numbers, i.e. 'How many clients do we have and how can we serve more?' but the other foot has to stay in the clouds, i.e. 'How many clients do we want?' and more long term, 'How can we have a real impact on our community?'
Every business will fail if it doesn't build wealth. Since we weren't millionaires to begin with, we had to start with another sort of capital--the "knowsome" kind. As in, you know someone who knows someone who needs our service. And word spread like a game of telephone. Yet we're still largely unknown, and that's a major opportunity. If I had to sum up the Freedom Cleaning marketing approach, it would be.. Network for your life!
Along those lines, we've been given a great opportunity to participate with the Ladies' Evening Out event this coming Monday, Feb. 27 from 6-8 p.m. at the Neal House, produced by Jennifer Clark of Emerge Events. It's a showcase of 20 women-owned/women-targeted local businesses. By that time, we'll be showing off our brand new logo and brochure. It's free to attend, so if you're in Hattiesburg, stop by for drinks, hors d'oeuvres and door prizes. We'll be giving away a free 2-hour cleaning to one winner. If you're feeling as lucky as we do these days, you should definitely try your hand.
Right now, Freedom Cleaning is definitely in its infancy.We served our first client on Nov. 8., so we're carrying barely a 4-month old. At this stage, the baby demands full attention. If you don't keep your eyes on the goal of growing, it's easy to be lulled into complacency. Whether you're pushing meals, shoes, real estate, or cleaning services, as a small business owner, you have to stay hungry.
I'm starting to believe that business is more of an art form than a science. You have to keep one foot grounded in the reality of numbers, i.e. 'How many clients do we have and how can we serve more?' but the other foot has to stay in the clouds, i.e. 'How many clients do we want?' and more long term, 'How can we have a real impact on our community?'
Every business will fail if it doesn't build wealth. Since we weren't millionaires to begin with, we had to start with another sort of capital--the "knowsome" kind. As in, you know someone who knows someone who needs our service. And word spread like a game of telephone. Yet we're still largely unknown, and that's a major opportunity. If I had to sum up the Freedom Cleaning marketing approach, it would be.. Network for your life!
Along those lines, we've been given a great opportunity to participate with the Ladies' Evening Out event this coming Monday, Feb. 27 from 6-8 p.m. at the Neal House, produced by Jennifer Clark of Emerge Events. It's a showcase of 20 women-owned/women-targeted local businesses. By that time, we'll be showing off our brand new logo and brochure. It's free to attend, so if you're in Hattiesburg, stop by for drinks, hors d'oeuvres and door prizes. We'll be giving away a free 2-hour cleaning to one winner. If you're feeling as lucky as we do these days, you should definitely try your hand.
