WomenCo.

I am curious to find out what as a business owner you feel you need to learn to take your business to the next level? Is it sales, marketing, PR, quick books, hiring, leading a team? Let’s share and grow together!

First of all you really need to figure out what it is that you want to do. Then, you need to do all the research that you can. This will be through the small business administration, possibly local colleges for some classes on business and finances, check on licences, cost of overhead, how many, if any, employees you are going to have, how much start up capital you need and how much to hold you over for the year. How much it's going to cost you for payroll each month? Are you going to do it yourself. Do you need to learn it first. How much is the software & class? Do I know enough to install it? Are there FREE basic computer classes, or do I have to pay for that, too. The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers many free classes, so do colleges and other places ( check newspapers). Also, the bookstores offer many books on certain careers. The Internet is great, too, but be careful remember to just go on trusted sites. These are only a few things, but the list goes on and on.

Anyways, there are a lot of things to be considered before even opening your doors.  Good Luck!

gkhirsch says ...

Try:  learning everything at once.  That's actually meant to be funny. 

What I've found to be important is to figure out what your niche is, and then find out what is necessary to excel in the area.  For instance, my area is consulting.  For me, it was important to set up a LLC, and all of the associated basics to make sure I had a good business foundation that separated the business from personal. 

I would also like to contract for the federal government, as a small business.  That entails a whole lot more work and research.  Going back to school and networking with others has helped.  It also helps to put in the time doing research on the internet.  There are a lot of free resources out there that provide excellent suggestions for taking a business from an idea to a reality.

Gov't contracting - first - make sure your business is certified "woman owned" then go and register for a DUNS and NSIC number to be able to apply for gov't contracting

JazminQ says ...

I think you need to learn how to have guts, how to take risks and how to be brave. Learn what you love to do and do it. You also have to learn to be excited about your life and not be afraid to talk about your business to everyone, because odds are that someone from that everyone will need your product or service.

Jaz - that is exactly what the entrepreneurial spirit is all about! Risks and bravery! It's interesting because I say to small business women all the time: "You are always marketing your business, even at the grocery store - you just never know!"

As a 'future' women business owner I need to work on my marketing skills! I'm shy (until I get to know someone), and it's hard to imagine myself marketing my business "in the grocery store."  I have the business plan in my head, I even have the marketing section laid out, but me verbally marketing the business makes me really nervous.

Having a great smile, which you do, and alot of confidence will carry you through the introductions.  But don't be afraid to make new friends, as that's basically what each new contact will be.  Just like Ann said in her article, networking is a huge part of getting it all started, because it's the best form of marketing there is.  Have your business cards ready and be confident.  If you believe in what you're doing and you believe in yourself, you've already gotten off to a great start!  Don't be disappointed if it doesn't start flying straight away.  Be patient and keep going.  It'll happen.