Week 10

Entrepreneurial Journey – Week 10

This week, as I have a small lull in my work, I worked on focusing on changes I need to make in my business and on ways to improve myself.  My first discovery was the suggestion from a fellow designer on using flower frogs in my work.  This may sound like a silly thing, but it was a life changer for me.  I have always used tape or floral foam, and I collect antique flower frogs because I like their vintage look.  However, she gave me a wholesale resource for them, sharing that it changed her business when she started using them.  I ordered some and felt transformed in my work.  It changed the way I design, allowed me to use less materials, and saved me a lot of time and grief.  Over the long term, using them will become profitable.

I also have given a lot of thought about my billing, which is my weakest area.  Keeping spreadsheets and finances are not my strong suit.  However, I know that feeling comfortable with the bottom line is essential to building and growing my business, so I have decided that I must use QuickBooks and implement their use into my weekly practice.  Also, picking up my profit margin and charging more for my work (mostly by being selective in who I take on as clients) will help me earn more money and enjoy the work because I am getting paid what I am worth. 

Lastly, the third facet is marketing.  My business has mostly thrived by word of mouth.  I have great relationships with the vendors and venues, I need to help them remember me.  I needed to change my business name and am moving forward with that in the next few weeks, along with creating new business cards, branding my look and building a website.  After these items are in place, I plan to go out to the local venues where I have done previous weddings and take small flower arrangements with a business card to remind them who I am.