(Disclaimer: I, in no way, claim to be a “Boss-Babe” but it’s a catchy title and sounds inspiring, so don’t judge me…)
Stuck in a job you don’t like or isn’t going anywhere? Got a product or service idea that you think the market is missing? Dreaming of being your own boss but don’t know where to start? Then this blog is for you…
With the average 9-5 job estimated to take up about 40 out of the 168 hours in a whole week, it’s important that your chosen career path makes you happy, meets your needs and ultimately gives you a reason to get out of bed in the morning.
So if you’re not quite there yet and are in need of some inspiration, here’s my 10 top tips on how to be a Boss-Babe:
Boss-Babe (noun): A powerful woman who means business. Not afraid to graft hard and can often be found supporting other Boss-Babes.
1. QUIT YOUR JOB!
(N.B. Please finish reading this entire piece before you start drafting any kind of resignation letter…)
Before we start, while this tip should technically be the last thing you do, I need you to get into this sassy Boss-Babe mindset from the offset for you to fully take on board the rest of these tips…
Leaving a dead-end job can be tricky, especially if you’ve got a nice boss.
It’s a bit like one of those break ups when you know the relationship isn’t right or isn’t working, but you just can’t bring yourself to end it.
However, in this situation, you’ve got to ask yourself: If nothing in your job changed over the next five years, would you be happy?
If the answer is no, bite the bullet and make that call/arrange that meeting/write that letter…
2. Do your research
Before you head off into the big old world of being a Boss-Babe, it’s important that you have a plan.
I know that sounds all adulty and boring, but it’s essential.
Self-employment and starting your own business can leave you extremely vulnerable, so do ensure you plan ahead.
Key things to think about are: Does the market need what you’re offering? Or are you trying to break into an already saturated industry?
My advice is to get online and do some very quick research (Twitter poll/Instagram vote/checking out the potential competition in your area) to see if going on your own is worth your time, stress and sleepless nights.
3. Find what makes you ‘YOU’
To put this in boring business terms, I’m talking about finding your USP — your unique selling point.
As an example, let’s take a look at the beauty industry.
You’re a qualified beautician who’s looking to start their own business, however, it’s an extremely competitive industry.
A quick Google search will show you how many people in your area offer the same thing, so it’s up to you to put your spin on things and work out what exactly it is that would make a client come to you over anyone else…
Are you offering a treatment that no one else is? Do you open early/late to make your business more accessible to clients? Have you won awards for your work? Or do you just have a really good reputation for being great at what you do?
Whatever it is, own it, flaunt it and exploit it to the max if you want to be a successful Boss-Babe.
N.b. While the cost of a service comes into a potential customers decisions to invest with you, my advice is to avoid your USP being the cheapest person in biz.
One of the best pieces of advice I ever received is: “If you’re good at what you do, people will pay for quality. Being unique for being cheap is a dangerous place to be.”
4. Make yourself seen and heard
Let’s face it, when you start up as a small business owner, cash is probably fairly limited. So instead of shelling out hundreds of pounds to companies that promise to ‘boost your engagement’ or ‘get more followers’, you can make that happen organically by investing your time in a bunch of free tools.
Some marketing workshops will tell you that to be successful in business you need a Facebook page, a Twitter account, a LinkedIn profile, a website and an Instagram account that are updated at least six times a day otherwise those pesky algorithms will come to haunt you and your engagement rates will fall through the floor, taking your business and your aspirations with you.
(Sorry to be dramatic, but I’ve genuinely heard such things…)
From my experience, the key to cracking social media and marketing is to optimise the tools that work for you.
Do you offer a professional service with a business to business target audience? If so, posting pics of your Flat White on Instagram with the hashtag #humpday, probably isn’t going to put you in touch with the people you’re looking for. LinkedIn might be more up your street.
However, if you’re about to open a trendy little brunch hotspot, you’re pretty handy with a camera and have perfected the art of making poached eggs look good, then you need to make Instagram your best friend.
DO. WHAT. WORKS. FOR. YOU.
When it comes to knowing what type of content to create, people love real ‘stuff’.
For example, as a journalist and PR consultant, I work hard to ensure my Twitter followers are kept up-to-date with the latest news and have top quality PR content on their timelines.
However, my most liked/retweeted tweet ever was a picture of me almost poisoning myself after putting daffodils in my dinner having mistaken them for spring onions in the shop…
(P.S. In my defence, the daffodils were at the end of the fruit and veg aisle, but you get what I’m trying to say… people love real people things!)
(P.P.S. While I’m here, I should probably plug my PR services — if you need some help in this area, I’m your gal…)
5. Speak to the professionals
I know we all love to think we know best, but slightly surprisingly, this apparently is not always the case… (I know, I’m as shocked as you.)
However, having been there, done that and picked up the t-shirt for you, I honestly can’t stress enough the value of getting some advice from a solicitor/accountant/business consultant/whoever before you start on your Boss-Babe journey.
You want to make sure you know all the do’s and don’ts of being a business owner, especially when it comes to the really dull (but necessary) things like tax and filling in a Self Assessment return.
Or why not speak to other established Boss-Babes who have experience and are sure to have a catalogue of tips and tricks that you can apply to your business.
Obviously you want to be speaking and learning from the successful chicks — who’ve made the leap of faith and are making it pay — but I really would advise speaking to the ones who it hasn’t quite worked out for, to find out why or to realise things to avoid.
Boring, I know, but having the pros on board from the get go can save you a lot of hassle, and potentially a lot of dollar.
6. Look after your customers
As the old saying goes, the customer is always right, but that doesn’t mean you don’t come across some arseholes from time to time,
However, good relations with the right kind of clients is key to the success of your business and gaining Boss-Babe status.
This is something that can be done right from the early days and will help with the security and longevity of your business.
Things to think about include:
Can you offer an opening week/new customer offer to get people through the door so you can wow them with what an amazing business owner you are?
Is there the potential to set up a contract with a few clients? Or work on a retainer-style basis to add some stability to your business?
Do you have any good contacts that you can get in touch with to give you a boost into the world of Boss-Babe-ness? (May copyright that phrase…)
7. Be prepared to be criticised
In the word’s of Taylor Swift: ‘Haters gonna hate (hate, hate, hate, hate)’ and that’s something you as a Boss-Babe need to be prepared for.
I’ve seen some very nasty things in business, particularly on social media, but the way I see it is that if people are prepared to slate you from behind a screen, then they’re not even worth their broadband subscription.
While there is undoubtedly a lot of bitchiness out there, it’s important to consider any criticism you do get.
Is someone making a valid point? Could you tweak something to improve your business? Are there measures that can be put in place to avoid customer dissatisfaction?
Or…
Is it someone that’s complained about something after they paid, told you they were pleased with it and has now found some balls while sat in the comfort of their own home behind a screen?
Know how to differentiate between the two types so you can filter out unnecessary stuff but adapt to any constructive comments.
8. Don’t be afraid to say no
One of the most powerful words a Boss-Babe has in her vocabulary is no.
I’m a massive believer in gut feelings and if something doesn’t feel right, please don’t be afraid to say no.
Whether that’s an investment of your time, your money or even just an acquaintance that’s crawled out the woodwork and is looking for a freebie — if you get a weird feeling in the pit of your stomach, it’s normally an indication that something doesn’t add up.
As a fairly well established Boss-Babe at this point, you owe it to yourself, your business, your staff, your customers etc to have respect for what you’ve worked hard for.
While we’re on the topic of sticking up for yourself and maintaining the credibility of your product and business, never be afraid to ask to be paid.
If you’ve provided the service agreed, to the best of your ability, to a level you’re proud of, never feel awkward or shy in asking for your money.
Anyone that encourages you to think otherwise is a mug and doesn’t deserve a second of your time.
Harsh? Maybe. True? Most definitely…
9. Move at your own pace
To put into perspective what I mean here… Sometimes I work for 12 hours straight, without getting up, eating, conversing with normal people etc, and sometimes I take a nap in the middle of the day — and that works for me.
In today’s society, and with the social media being increasingly used as an online diary (which is obviously great sometimes), it’s easy to get swept up in thinking that you have to keep up with ‘everyone else’ in order to be successful.
So what I’m trying to say here is that, to be a Boss-Babe you don’t have to make a million pound profit in your first year of business. (Though if you do, give me your tips please…)
If you’ve got a business model based on a five-year plan then go you, keep working girl.
Or if you have to take out a business loan to get your feet off the ground and it takes a few years to get a decent return on investment, then that’s fine too.
As long as you’re making it work, without getting into financial difficulties, then you are smashing life as Boss-Babe.
Though our social media profiles may make us look glam and successful, I can tell you for a fact that no one is posting about every client they lose, or each pitch they don’t get, or anytime a big contract that falls through.
So remember that, and move at your own pace.
10. Have faith
Such a clichéd ending, but backing yourself is the most important tip I can give you in your quest to becoming the ultimate Boss-Babe.
People buy people, and if you don’t believe in yourself, then how can you expect potential clients to?
C x
Wellies & Stilettos 