Creating Partnerships

Personal issues can be very challenging, especially when you are operating a start up business. I have had some things going on in my personal life that made me think about my business and how it would continue to "go on" if I was not around. What made me think about this is due to the fact that I was pregnant and unfortunately I had a miscarriage. While this was a difficult time for me, I still had to ensure that my business operations continued. Even though my clients were very understanding, I needed to ensure that "the status quo" still existed in my business. This can be very difficult when you are going thru some very serious personal issues. This is why I think EVERY business owner should “partner up” with someone. I can speak on this from personal experience . . . create partnerships.

I actually had to have minor surgery due to this miscarriage and that's when I thought about my Contingency Plan for my business. I am not too far removed from "Corporate America" so I am very well informed about Contingency Plans. God forbid I'm ever really sick; how will my business thrive? Sure my husband knows that I have a business and I can direct on where all of my password are but he really has no knowledge of the ins and outs of my business. This is unacceptable. Just like my family depends on me so do my clients especially in my role as a Virtual Assistant.

I finally decided that I need a back up plan which is also called a Contingency Plan. I need to ensure that my business keeps on running and is not dependent on me. I know there are a lot of business owners don't like to think of the idea that their "babies" a.k.a. our businesses can actually thrive without us. However, isn't that our ultimate goal? We want to be successful and any successful business is able to operate without a person missing work. Heck if you think about it, in most corporations, if a CEO is on vacation, the business process still continues. Why should it be any different for us smaller guys? While we are smaller than our corporate counterparts, we need to ensure that our business continues even without us being there.

So I ask you all, please find that partner that can take over "just in case." My partner is name Shannon Burns. She is wonderful. She is like a carbon copy of me. Find some one who fits your niche. I specialize in working with sales and marketing professionals. I help business professionals find the tools and resources to start a business and efficiently operate it on a budget individually tailored for their needs. I did some research and I found that person who has the same expertise as myself and the same goals. . . to help business owners.

Why don't you all find your partner? It can be a family member, a friend, a business partner or a VA. Decide on you Contingency Plan today!! You will be glad that you did. Don’t wait on this, plan NOW!!