Do you have a business idea that you want to launch… BUT you’re not quite sure where to start. Or even how to start.
Or maybe you’ve already started your business, and you’re in growth mode and ready to up-scale. But how do you get there?
This is where you can start feeling unsure, overwhelmed and isolated.
No matter what stage you’re at in your business journey, it’s SO important to know where you’re heading and how to get there.
What I’m trying to say, is that you don’t have to go it alone, like I did.
When I started my VA business a year ago, I was strapped for cash and I did a DIY approach to learning all aspects of starting up my own business. From doing my own website, branding, social media, marketing and everything in between. I figured that what I learnt, I can then do for my future clients.
Let’s just say, it was a steep learning curve but one that I have absolutely loved. But looking back (gotta love hindsight) I could have saved so much time and money, if I’d had someone holding my hand and helping me to navigate the tricky start-up phase.
Last year I came across the dynamic duo, Helen and Jacqui, who are the ‘girls’ behind Two Girls and a Laptop. Not only do I love their biz name but they offer a lot of value on their socials, in their workshops and in 1:1 consultations.
These girls know their stuff!
If only our paths had crossed earlier.
Between them, Helen and Jacqui have 35 years in the biz, and are fluent in the language of launching and growing businesses. They provide valuable advice and support, with affordable and unpretentious business planning and strategy.
These two are fast becoming the go-to powerhouse for small businesses to learn and accelerate growth. So, I had to chat to Helen and Jacqui about their tips for small business success.
Before you launch your business, how can having a business plan and strategy set your business up for success?
Oh, where do we start?? Here are just a few of the very key things that are bought to the fore with your initial business planning pre launch:
Market Research (including competitive analysis): We cannot express how important it is to do your research and understand the needs of your target market BEFORE launch. Due diligence needs to be done to understand if there is a gap in the market that your product/service is filling? If not, how are you going to compete with established brands? If they are selling it cheaper than you why would a customer buy from you? What is your unique selling proposition? Have you got it priced correctly and can you make money?
Financial Planning: Before folks make a start we feel it’s crucial to understand the costs associated with getting a business off the ground and operational in year one (at a minimum). Even the most seasoned operator knows they will likely run into unexpected costs and some realistic ‘excess cashflow’ needs to be built into the financial forecast to account for this. The financial budget needs to include a sales forecast for the expected revenue as well as a projection of all the expenses such as Marketing, Application and software subscriptions (if you’re planning on using social media as a lead gen don’t underestimate all the subscriptions you’ll need for this), Legal, Accounting, Insurances etc.
Other things that need to be considered (to name a few) are how much space will be needed to warehouse stock? Have you correctly calculated average shipping costs (if you get this wrong it can really eat into your margins)? Do you really need to build a website initially or can you possibly start selling it via social media, eBay, Amazon Marketplace, Etsy or Big Cartel etc?
A business plan isn’t a once off task that you set and forget. How important is it to make time to review it as your business grows and evolves?
We recommend the business plan is reviewed quarterly. Special attention needs to be given to the marketing plan as this is what’s going to keep your sales and revenue flowing. Some people make the mistake of focussing on their revenue number and not their profit margin so it’s important to keep an eye on your profit and loss, we review ours monthly.
You’re all about knowing who your ‘ideal customer’ is – why is this so important?
If you’re trying to talk to everyone you’ll end up speaking to no-one (amen)!
We think that customer profiling is crucial and should most definitely be done BEFORE a marketing plan is produced.
Small business owners don’t have huge budgets for large scale branding so special attention needs to be paid to who the ideal customer is. You need to know who they are in an intimate way, what their wants/needs are and how your product meets these needs. Then you find out where they hang out online and you talk to them and their story/pain points/challenges etc. A following that knows, likes and trusts you simplifies and shortens the sales cycle.
How important is having a presence on social media for your business?
It’s a show stopper. We really can’t see how a business selling online would survive long term without a social media presence or how long a retail store would be able to sustain themselves without some sort of social media strategy.
For our business specifically, it’s fantastic. We not only get to connect with our ideal customer and learn from them. We are also able to connect and collaborate with other like minded entrepreneurs out there (like your fine self), we feel there’s a real sense of ‘community over competition’. Even with other business owners who have similar gigs to ours, we feel that everyone offers something slightly different and there’s plenty of business to go around. If you’re offering the right product, to the right market, at the right price, and you’re nailing the customer experience, you’ll be fine! (simples!)
What are some of the ways to save time when creating and planning content?
Don’t do it on the fly!
We are all guilty of doing social media posts on the fly from time to time but it’s not a good idea, more often than not you get stressed or a mental block and waste time pondering! We recommend folks have a content plan including certain content themes and they use the themes to inspire each day’s post. In terms of time, it’s going to realistically take 2 hours a week (minimum) to come up with the content and curation for each post. Use an auto-scheduler to post the content out at your peak times.
Put the time aside, turn off your phone and do it in batches. This gets you get in the ‘zone’ which we think is the most efficient way to get the job done.
What tools and apps can you recommend for a small business starting out on a tight budget?
There are a heap of free apps out there and some have a monthly subscription. Our favourite free ones are Docusign, Evernote, Dropbox, Google Analytics, Splice, Storeo, Later, Plann, IFTTT.
We have decided to make an investment in the following paid apps:
Join.me for webinar, Grum, Canva (it also has a free option).
What have you both learnt from starting your own business?
Jacqui: For me the penny has really dropped about the meaning of social selling and that it’s not all about asking for the sale, it’s about serving your tribe. I’ve also learnt that it’s worth investing/outsourcing in the areas where you don’t have the skill set. We’ve used a copywriter for our about page, a SEO expert, photographer and we will be using a Facebook Advertising and Google Ads expert in the future.
Helen: That no-one else can sell your business like you can. That is, when you are starting out in small business land (with a small business budget) you really need to be your own PR agency. You can’t hide behind an Instagram profile anymore, and really have to put yourself and your vision out there! People want to work with people – and ultimately, the best person to ‘spruik your wears’ is you.
About Helen and Jacqui from Two Girls And A Laptop
They met over 15 years ago in corporate Australia where they were both working in the telecommunications industry looking after the retail distribution network. At first they bonded over their love of the 1991 film Point Break, crab pasta, and a shared desire to take over the dance floor anytime 80s or 90s music was playing.
Whilst they loved helping owner/operators scale and grow their businesses, they ultimately still worked for a large corporation themselves and over time, they realised they both had the need to lead more than just a cubicle life.
They don’t like the term business coaches.
They like to think that we will be business partners.
They hold your hand and dive into the weeds with you because they don’t believe in a soulless, cookie-cutter, one size fits all approach to business.
Instead, Helen and Jacqui offer tailored, personalised action plans. Think of them as an extension of your business—friends, cheerleaders, mentors, and so much more!
If you are thinking about starting an on-line business or you’re in the early stages, check out the girls ‘small business start-up checklist’ here: https://www.twogirlsandalaptop.com.au/ebooks/small-business-startup-checklist
Website: https://www.twogirlsandalaptop.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twogirlsandalaptop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twogirlsandalaptop/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18154602/
