Where to seek business advice and ideas
Denise Wild | Date posted: July 5th, 2012
I’ve been running The Sewing Studio and LoveSewing for eight years now. And I’ve got an incredible team of instructors, administrators, managers, writers, and editors who help bring it all together and who help keep us on top. But I’ve never had a business partner. On one hand, it’s great that I can make all the decisions myself and I have no one to answer to. But on the other hand, I don’t have someone to challenge me and push me forward.
That’s why I’d recommend getting advice from those around you. It’s like having an advisor or imagining you have a business partner. It doesn’t have to be anything formal, and you don’t have to limit yourself to using the same person forever. Just slip in some business talk whenever you have a coffee with a friend. Or talk shop with your siblings or spouse. Or shout out to friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter.
Having someone who you trust, respect, and admire offer you business advice, feedback, and suggestions is invaluable. It’ll offer you another perspective, give you ideas outside of your comfort zone, and it’ll push you to make your business better. Not every idea is a good idea. And not every person will offer you good business advice. But as long as you keep yourself open to listening, you can take each point in, weigh it on your own, and still make independent decisions that are best for your company.
Whether you’re starting out or already running a business on your own, make sure you get feedback from other people. Pretend they’re your business partner or advisor. You’ll see things from a different perspective, and you’ll get helpful feedback.
TAGS: Business, Inspiration, Management, Marketing, Motivation, The Sewing Studio
Denise Wild
Former magazine editor Denise Wild, a sewing star since the age of 13, started teaching sewing classes in her Toronto apartment in 2004 while she was working at FLARE, Canada’s top fashion publication. Those classes...