A common challenge that small business owners face is lack. That could be a lack of resources, money, customers, knowledge, experience, time, etc. Running a quilt shop is a huge undertaking! And it can be a little bit overwhelming. But remember, you are not alone!
When you started your business, I imagine you were full of passion for your quilt shop and the community. But often, that is lost in the shuffle of trying to do everything right to keep your business profitable.
CEO = Chief Everything Officer
When you are the CEO, you are the Chief Everything Officer. You do the marketing, bookkeeping, payroll, purchasing, stock shopping, and everything else required to run your business. It can get overwhelming. Square reported that one of the biggest challenges in starting a business is not knowing where to get resources to help you run your business.
Business owners didn’t know if they needed a lawyer, payroll specialist, bookkeeper, marketing expert, social media expert, etc. It’s hard to know who to hire first and where to find reliable information. The solution is to find other businesses or connections that can help you answer some of those questions.
Luckily, there are a ton of educational resources on Google. You can type in the question, and millions of answers will appear in the search results. Most business owners start with Google.
But I want to share with you a few of my favorite resources from around the web.
Business Resources FTW
First, the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA is known for the vast amount of services they provide to small business owners. They offer courses, articles, helpful hints, and coaching. Check to see if you have a local office near you. They also have a lot of resources available online.
Second, Chambers of Commerce. This is one that often gets overlooked, but it’s a great place to start meeting some of the other small business owners in your community. They offer training, support, and all sorts of resources for businesses.
Third, Profit First One Sheet. I know how difficult it can be to start and grow a business. I co-own a quilt shop that had over $100k in debt that we paid off in one year. I understand the struggles you face firsthand. That’s why I put together this guide to help you get started.
When you get overwhelmed and unsure what to do next, start with one of these resources. You don’t have to know what you’re looking for specifically or where you are going. But at least start.
If you have a specific question, use Google or one of the resources listed above to find the answer. There are a lot of free organizations and companies that want to help.
The benefits of accountability groups
The best resource I have found for creating a thriving quilt shop is accountability groups. They have been very impactful for my own business and quilt shop.
Find somebody who is just starting with their business as well. Some masterminds and groups meet together to help each other thrive as business owners. They may be similar to yours (not a direct competitor) that you can partner up with and bounce ideas off. Your local Chamber is a great place to find out more about these groups. American Quilt Retailer also provides workshops and academies to help you thrive.
I currently participate in a mastermind group. Every week I have a meeting, and we help each other grow our businesses. It’s unbelievably helpful. I can ask questions, get answers, and provide feedback for other business owners too. We are all from different backgrounds, experiences, and industries, so I’m always getting various great insights.
It’s not uncommon for a business owner to feel like you don’t know anything. But you do. You have value and advice to give to other business owners because of your experiences along your business journey.
Find an accountability group or partner. Connect with like-minded people that can help you grow. It will make a world of difference for your business AND personal growth.