Anyone can tell you why it is ideal to have your own business: you are your own boss, you set your hours, you can live your dream, etc. All sound great, don’t they? But no one talks about the behind-the-scenes struggles of being a business owner. So, before you dive into opening your business and following your passion, let’s discuss five challenges you will likely face.

Start-Up Funding

Starting a business can be super expensive. Some businesses need to have equipment before they can offer their services (think photographers or restaurants). Initial equipment setup can run into thousands of dollars. Plus, do you need a physical building to run your business? If so, now you are looking at renting a building or, at the very least, running the business out of your home. Even if you run the business out of your home, you will still incur utility, internet, phone, insurance, and other expenses.

Competition

Ok, so you have your start-up funds and you’re ready to go, right? Well, not quite. Have you looked at your competition? Are they well-established, respectable community member? Are they seen as a community expert that everyone knows and shops at? Or are they a nationally known chain? Do you have several competitors in a small area or is there only a couple in a large city? Competitors can be great because you will need to constantly develop your business to offer products or services that your competitor doesn’t. On the other hand, when you are just starting, competition can be brutal, especially if they are an establishment that has been in the community for years.

Adapting to Change

If the past several years have shown business owners anything, it’s how it is necessary to be able to deal with constant change. Are you one of those people that love the status quo and love the comfort of routine? Successful business owners need to be able to recognize things that aren’t working and have the ability to change what needs to be changed. Sometimes those decisions can be tough, especially if you need to make a change quickly. Without being able to adapt to changing business environments though, you could see your competition pull ahead of you and take your customers with them.

Inconsistent Cash Flow

You have your first customers and the money is starting to flow in and everything is looking great! That is fantastic but what about next week? Next month? Next year? Bills will always need to be paid so what do you do if you have a slow period in the business? Do you have some money set aside in a savings account to get you through those slow times? If you don’t, have you thought about what you are going to do to make it through those trying times? Every business has its ups and downs so planning for those slow times will help keep some stress at bay.

Ineffective Web Presence and Marketing

In today’s world, it is a necessity to have a web presence for your business. A website allows potential customers to find you and for your current customers to keep up with what you are offering. And it isn’t enough to have just a website. Websites should be SEO optimized with engaging content. Websites should also be informative with content that is updated regularly. Not up your alley? You might want to look at a website developer to help get your site built. A copywriter is also a great investment to help keep your content fresh and inviting.

Social media accounts where your customers can easily engage with your business can also be critical. Social media accounts can include Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, etc. Depending on who your audience is, some social media sites may be better for you than others. Is your target audience moms of teenagers? Facebook might be a good option to reach moms but TikTok or Instagram might be worth looking at to get your message in front of the teenagers. A good copywriter can help you navigate which social media sites might be best for you. Plus, they will be able to keep your postings current so your customers are always up-to-date on what is happening in your business.

Having your own business can be a great opportunity. Knowing the potential issues will only help you navigate any problems with more ease and confidence. As you gain experience and knowledge, any bumps in the road, (and there will be many!), will be less intimidating and overwhelming.

Now, go out there, be prepared, and be a success!

The post 5 Things Every Small Business Owner Should Know Before Opening a Business appeared first on BluPumpkin.

Some people love winter: the more snow, ice, and cold, the happier they are. I am not one of those people. When the weather starts to get cold, I start counting down days until the days get longer and warmer. The sooner it gets warm, the better.

Right now, it is the middle of February and I cannot wait until April. I know I have one more month to go through of potentially nasty, winter weather, so I have to mentally gear myself up for another 45 days of cold and dreary skies. So, what can you do during the winter to help with those winter blahhhs? Here are a few things that help me get through winter and, maybe, they will also help you.

Reading or Hobbies

I love to read so, on those cloudy, murky days, this is a no-brainer. I grab a favorite to re-read or I browse through my ebook reader and scroll for something new. Immersing myself in a book is a super-easy way to get through an afternoon or two.

Exercising

Yoga and pilates are my go-to exercises to help keep the winter blues away. I lock myself away in a room so I don’t have any disruptions, turn on some soft music, and maybe light a candle or two. I don’t do long routines, usually 30 minutes or less, but it is enough to focus on my stretching in order to relax after a day of battling the cold.

Spending Time with the Pets (or Kids)

Spending time with your kids (furry or otherwise) is a great way to forget about the cold outside. My huskies love the cold, snowy weather, but they are usually more than happy to play inside. Playing fetch in the house (yes, we play fetch in the house when it’s just too cold for me to go outside), wrestling, hide-and-seek, and other pet-friendly games keep them, and me, mentally active. Huskies are exceptionally smart dogs so I have to constantly be thinking of new ways to keep them from being bored if they can’t go outside.

A Little Bit of Pampering

When it’s cold, the only thing I want to do is stay inside where it’s warm, so getting some much-needed pampering can be difficult. Cold winds take a toll on my skin so I will take an hour and soothe and moisturize my skin. Face, elbows, fingers, and toes all dry out continuously during the winter months so taking care of my skin is not only a relaxation technique, but it is also critical for its overall health. Home facials and luxurious oils help keep my skin hydrated and the scents help my mind forget about the cold, at least for a while.

A Good Night’s Sleep

This one is so critical for me because I simply do not feel well if I don’t get enough sleep. Ironically, it’s during the winter months that I have the hardest time getting enough quality sleep in the evenings. To make up for that constant tossing and turning at night, I will sometimes take an afternoon nap. I don’t nap often because then I definitely won’t sleep at night but, during the days that my mind is foggy and I just cannot keep my eyes open, an afternoon nap is just the ticket.

Getting Out in the Sun

Nice, bright, sunny days are not the norm during the winter but, when one shows up, I try to take advantage of it. The sun will instantly lift my mood, even if all I do is sit in a window, in the sun. If it is warm enough, and it isn’t muddy outside, I’ll go out in the yard and play ball with the pups. Even just spending 15 minutes or so outside, in the sun, makes a big difference in lifting my spirits.

I will always count down the days until spring rolls around with its warm weather but, in the meantime, these activities help me get through the dreary days of winter.

Now, I have to figure out how to get through this snowstorm we are supposed to have this week…

The post Uuuugh! Is Winter Over Yet? appeared first on BluPumpkin.

The day is sunny and the sky is blue. You are smiling and whistling a little tune as you walk along. Completely relaxed, you are enjoying your surroundings as you breathe in the fresh air.

It’s easy to see if someone is having a good day and they are happy. But what about your dog? Do you know if they are having a good day? If you pay attention to your favorite pooch, you can tell when they are happy.

1. They Smile. This one is easy to see. If your dog is looking at you with a big smile, you know they are happy.
2. They Cuddle Up with You at Night. A happy dog will want your company and will want to be close to you as they sleep.
3. They are Excited to See You. All those butt wiggles and dancing around when you come through the door: of course they are happy!
4. They Want to Play. If they bring you their favorite toy and drop it in your lap, they are inviting you to play with them. Then there is the “play bow” to let you know they are ready for some fun. A happy dog wants to play!
5. Their Tail is High in the Air and Wagging. A happy dog will hold their tail high and wag it side to side. A dog that is anxious or unhappy will have a low or tucked tail, with no visible wag.
6. They Like Giving You Sloppy Kisses. The sloppy kiss is a sure way to know your pup is happy!
7. She is Always Leaning into You. Happy dogs have a lot of body contact. If they lean into your legs or hand, they are definitely happy!
8. They are Excited to Go for a Walk or a Ride. A happy dog is always up for an adventure, whether that is in the form of a long walk or a car ride to a new location.
9. They want a Belly Rub. Showing their belly is the ultimate sign of trust for a dog so, if they ask for a belly rub, they feel happy and safe.
10. He has a Healthy Appetite. Most dogs have good appetites, so if they aren’t eating normally, they may be unhappy or they don’t feel good. If your pup had a bad day, their appetite might be off because they just don’t feel like eating. But, if their appetite continues to be abnormal, have them checked out by a veterinarian right away.

This list isn’t complete, so your dog might have other ways to show how happy they are. My dogs love to sing and talk when they are happy. Or, they want to be in the kitchen when I am cooking. Your dog probably has their own way of showing how happy they are. As you get to know your pup, you’ll recognize when they are happy and all the little signs they give to let you know!

The post How Do You Know Your Dog is Happy? appeared first on BluPumpkin.