Financial Freedom Series – Build Your Own Business (Part 8 – Five Important Lessons)
According to the latest data in South Africa, many are battling to make ends meet. Even those with jobs are not earning enough to cover their living expenses.
If you are battling to find work or are in a cash flow crisis, why not consider BUILDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Over the last few weeks, we have looked at…
- How to find the right business fit
- How to develop the right skills and knowledge
- How to set up a business plan
- Know who your potential clients are
Your BUSINESS PLAN will improve your chances of success and help you formulate a strategy for achieving your goals while giving you clarity, focus, and confidence.
You also need to IDENTIFY YOUR TARGET MARKET. Many think it will make money if they have the right business idea, but this is often untrue. You need to ensure your business is brought to the right target audience. Without the right audience, you will battle to build your business and make money.
Today, we will look at how to market your business effectively.
You also need to MARKET YOUR BUSINESS EFFECTIVELY. The aim of marketing your business is to generate leads. Your leads are potential clients you can contact or who will contact you, people and companies who will benefit from your services and possibly buy your product or subscribe to your service.
“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)
Can you use your qualifications, skills, experience, and unique gifts and talents to set up a business that provides a service? You could start small and work from home to cut costs.
Why not consider becoming an entrepreneur and starting a business or side hustle?
May God open doors of opportunity, give you wisdom, and take you on an adventure as you build your business. May God bless your business.
Please do not do it alone. Ask God for guidance. He wants to lead you.
“But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” (Deuteronomy 8:18)
You may be on the brink of a new business opportunity allowing you to add value to others while earning an income doing what you love.
Who knows, you may even be able to provide a few job opportunities to others through your business venture in the future.
Today, we want to look at 5 LESSONS FROM THOSE WHO HAVE BUILT SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES.
Starting your own business can be challenging. There will be days when you want to quit.
Today, I want to inspire you and share some basic lessons you can learn from, as shared by well-known business leaders who have built successful businesses.
I adapted some of this information from a Forbes magazine article entitled “Inspirational Quotes from Start-ups and Entrepreneurs by Richard Harroch” and included some wisdom from the Bible.
I am sure that the advice I will share with you will benefit you today, whether you are starting out on a new business venture or have hit a difficult patch in the road.
So, let us start at the beginning…
- If you start a business, what do you need?
“What do you need to start a business? Three simple things: know your product better than anyone, know your customer, and have a burning desire to succeed.” –Dave Thomas, Founder, Wendy’s
Plan well.
“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)
Be wise.
“The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.” (Proverbs 14:16)
- Provide a high level of quality service…
“Always deliver more than expected.” –Larry Page, Co-Founder, Google
Be a person of excellence.
“Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps because an excellent spirit was in him.” (Daniel 6:3)
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23)
“The LORD detests dishonest scales but delights in an accurate weight.” (Proverbs 11:1)
- Have a vision…
“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18)
“Chase the vision, not the money; the money will end up following you.” –Tony Hsieh, Zappos CEO
“When you find an idea that you just can’t stop thinking about, that’s probably a good one to pursue.” –Josh James, Omniture CEO and Co-Founder
“And the Lord answered me and said, “Write down the vision clearly on tablets so that even a runner can read it.” (Habakkuk 2:2)
- Dare to dream…
“As long as you’re going to be thinking anyway, think big.” –Donald Trump, The Trump Organization President
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true there is life and joy.” (Proverbs 13:12)
- Run with your passion…
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” –Steve Jobs, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO, Apple
THE MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE I CAN GIVE YOU: Invite God to Be Your Business Partner
Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33-34)
Invite God to be your CEO. Put him first. God is interested in you and wants to see you excel.
In the following weeks, we will look at lessons from those who have made it…
- How to increase your sales.
- Build a network
Above All, Keep God at the Center
Commit your plans to God.
“Commit your work to the Lord and then your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3)
Next week, we will continue to INSPIRE you and give you PRACTICAL TOOLS and INSIGHT to help you BUILD YOUR OWN BUSINESS to attain FINANCIAL FREEDOM while HONORING GOD.
