HeatherO

Small Business Owners Wear Many Hats. Are You Wearing the Right Shoes?

HeatherO on 12 14, 2009

There is no shortage of people looking for work, or businesses looking for more business these days!
We often talk about wearing different ‘hats’ in business, but this post asks

“What shoes are you wearing?”

Now before all of my fashionista friends freak out, here’s the disclaimer: This is is a metaphorical question! (I am not suggesting that anyone literally wear hiking boots to work! Although it may serve as a powerful reminder!)

Plenty of people want more business and just as many (or more?) want a job. Yet I am astounded by the number of people who are metaphorically sitting around in their slippers or flip flops wondering why they aren’t getting what they want.

There are different times and seasons for everybody and every business. Perhaps you’ve been in business a long time and thought that by now you would be able to rake in the cash while strolling down the boardwalk in your sandals. Perhaps you became an accidental business owner (read: lost your job and decided to be independent). Whatever the case, here you are!

You know you have to wear different “hats” as a business owner, but at different times in your business you need “different shoes”.

Dress Shoes: If you are a new business or reinventing yourself, you may need to be focused building your credibility.


Unique Shoes: Do you have a brand? Your brand is your image and most small businesses don’t have the ‘brand image’ they think they do! (a logo alone does not a brand make!)


Snazzy Shoes: Do you need to be creating awareness and attracting attention for your business?


Hiking Boots: Are you figuring out your plan and strategy? Are you really digging in and finding those that you should serve and the best way to do that?

Sneakers: If you have a loyal following you may just need to get out and hit the sidewalk! Get face to face, ask how you can do more for them or how you can earn their referrals.



No matter where you are in your business, this isn’t the time to sit around in your slippers and complain!

This is a GREAT time to be a small business owner! Marketing and many other needed services have never been more affordable, and it has never been easier to reach countless people than it is today.

But you need the right mindset and the right focus.

You need the right “shoes”.