Whether you like it or not, if you run your own business, you are responsible for making sure that your customers are satisfied. For some small business owners this responsibility may seem like a burden. For others, it is a great opportunity to let your strengths and talents really shine. One great thing about owning and operating a small business is that you are in a position to give your customers the personalized attention and service that they deserve. Over the past few years, I have really started to pay attention to customer service both in my role as a … Continue reading →

It may seem like a mystery to the beginning home business owner—how to take complete strangers or people who have never heard about the work we do and move them along the continuum until they become loyal customers and/or clients. The fact is, however, there is a process and it really is not all that complicated. It just takes some focus and creativity—not to mention some loyalty and dedication of our own—in order to turn a prospect into a client or customer. Believe it or not, if you continuously market and promote your business, people WILL find their way to … Continue reading →

There are not many things that irritate me. That said, the few things that do irritate me do so in a major way. One of my pet peeves is poor spelling. Over the past few weeks, I have encountered a few misspellings. At a conference, I saw a sign posted that said “Meeting in Progress, Please Keep Quite”. When I went to a restaurant for lunch, there were misspellings on the menus. While I was doing some online research about home based businesses, I came across a few web sites that are littered with misspellings. All of the misspellings that … Continue reading →

Last week, a friend of mine did something that reminded me about a very important yet often overlooked tool of the small business professional. She handed me her business card. My friend is a college student, and she has had a pet sitting business for a while. However, until she handed me her card the other day, I had no idea that she was a pet sitter. While I have not had to hire a pet sitter for my beloved cat Patrick since I took him in almost four years ago, and it is unlikely that I will ever have … Continue reading →