Some thoughts on a Monday morning

  This blog is not only about what other entrepreneurs are doing right or wrong, it is also about my personal experience on this journey. Some of my regular readers know that I have been working on a start-up education-based company called Learning Connections for the past two years. Because of going to school full-time, I have only been able to work on it on a part-time basis. At the time, I figured that it was alright to spend that little time on it because I have been tutoring for years.
  But I don't want to build just another tutoring center. There are plenty of those. I wanted to set this business apart from any other standard educational start-up. So I had to think, what will set Learning Connections apart from everyone else? Me, my experience, my specialties and those I hire, their experience and their specialties.

A small list of things I know I can improve on:

• Defining the business niche. The niche for this business rests on the laurels of Science and Math. I have been involved in science fairs since I was a participant in high school. I left Massachusetts having served as a judge, secretary to the region, specialist in scientific review committees, and mentor to middle schools starting their own science fairs. I relocated to Roanoke and continued to help a Roanoke City Middle school and judge fairs. Conclusion? Play up the applied math and science!
• Get out there more. Meaning, get out from in front of the computer and spend some quality face time with people. Find out about other businesses. How can you help them? Conclusion? Consultations in creative problem solving and Math Skills Review for new employees.
• Play it up. From the internet stand point, you would probably think that I'm rolling in the dough. Right? While I am reaching people across the world online, I noticed a major discrepancy. I wasn't reaching the locals as much as I should be. There is still an internet disconnect in my small town and the surrounding areas. Conclusion? Don't completely discount standard methods of marketing in smaller areas. 
• Boost self-confidence. From various reports, community and people I went to high school with, I am the super nice, quiet, smart girl. The only adjective that seemed to bother me was quiet. Most of my friends would not tell you that I am quiet! I can be quite the chatterbox! Conclusion? Don't be shy about talking you and your business. Plain and simple. Take the talk from the internet to every day life and the people I meet. My neighbor and I bumped into each other while I was walking the dog this morning. She loved my new dress and asked if I had started a new job. My response? "Sort of." UGH! What was that!!!! I know I can do better than that! I am proud of what I have accomplished so far and what I am about to do! Time to change my tune! 

  When you listen to these little signals, they can help bring you and your business into better focus. Why am I sharing this with you? Because these are some of the traps we fall into when creating. I am hoping my experience helps you and you sharing your experience helps me gain some insight as to how all this works. Sound fair? I would love to hear some of the bear traps you fall in! Maybe we can help each other out!

Researching Your Business

  Many of us watch businesses come and go, many of them go for various reasons. Many blame the current market. Others blame poor location or too much competition. Well, maybe we should have done more research! The current business structure is changing. It is no longer about standard marketing strategies or stiff and structured business plans (Of course you need a business plan! But keep it flexible!).
  I will use my situation as an example. There is flux of teachers who have been leaving the school system for many reasons. Many of these former teachers believe that tutoring on the side may not bring them riches, but it will bring them enough to live. I am seeing a lot of hand written ads, boring tear-aways, and other standard marketing strategies. Here is what I am learning so far:

• Find a niche. Research yourself! What are your gifts and talents? What sets you apart from everyone else? Here is what I figured out about myself.
• I love to write. Blogging, when I make the time, is an outlet of self-expression for me.
• I love to communicate and meet people. 
• I love the Sciences and Applied Math. 
• I love being creative!
• Mold yourself into that marketing niche. It doesn't feel wrong if it feels so right! The focus of my business is Math and Science from elementary to post-college. Teachers in these subjects need support, especially in high school when the availability of materials drops. 
• Don't discount possibilities. I have tied myself to Arts organizations for a reason. Most artists don't realize how much Math and Science play into their work. Read or listen to my blog on my website. It explains how I use Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligence to teach. 
• CHECK OUT THE COMPETITION. I can't believe how many people set up shop without doing this first! 
• Talk to the community. Can you provide a need not being met right now? What is it? Would people use it? How much would they pay for the service? Many times we undercut ourselves just hoping people will arrive because of the price. Not so. Find a compromise in your pricing system, fair pricing for you and your clients.
• Use every marketing resource available. I am not talking TV ads or anything extravagant. Use the Internet! A lot! You may want to hire someone to do this for you! But make sure they have your voice in their communication. Most importantly, just get out there! Attend events. Meet people. No one will come to you, you have to go to them!

Good luck!