Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs - OKVetWorks Program Daron Hoggatt

When developing your marketing strategies, the first step is to ask “What is my desired outcome or objective?” Your outcome will vary depending on what stage your business is in, but it could include increasing:


Revenue
Units Sold
Market Share
Return on Investment
New Accounts
Awareness

or any other measurable outcome (also known as an “objective”), but it must align with your overall business plan and be SMART, meaning specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely.

5 habits that every leader needs to develop:

1. Are you willing to give up power

2. Show remarkable resilience in the face of adversity

3. Are you willing to give trust first

4. Display humility as a leadership strength

5. Are you willing to seek input from peers

These factors ultimately lead to a competitive edge and enable companies to quickly bounce back from challenging situations.

How do you manage irate Customers?

I suggest using the LAUGH method.  

L - Listen

A - Acknowledge

U - Understand

G - Give Solutions

H - Hit Home

There’s no denying the cultural impact of the Star Wars series. The films have been inspiring millions of people for over 40 years now.
A large part of their appeal is due to their universality. Despite being set in a galaxy far, far away, the themes they touch on are relatable regardless of where you’re from. They deal with issues such as family ties, friendship, legacy, identity, success, failure, redemption and holding on to hope even in the darkest hour.

It’s for this reason that the lessons taught in Star Wars can apply to anyone, including those starting their own business. I’ve got 6 quotes from the Star Wars series that all entrepreneurs should keep in their hearts and minds.

In this episode I would like to give you a few tips and resources that small businesses face because of the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting business downturn.



A few Loan and Grant Resources:


Facebook Small Business Grants Program 
James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Industry Scholarships and Grants
Kiva US Small Business Loans
Opportunity Fund COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund
Restaurant Workers Community Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund
The Main Street Initiative by Mainvest
Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Assistance
Verizon and LISC Small Business Recovery Fund 

Starting a small business can be both difficult and rewarding.

If you’ve thought about opening your own business, you might have begun to look for advice. There are so many tips for starting a new business out there that choosing which ones to follow can get confusing.

As an entrepreneur and consultant, I can tell you that there is no perfect formula for starting a small business. I’ve learned that the best business advice usually forces you to think in a new way. So, I’ve compiled a list of tips for starting your own business that you might not have heard.