Business Topics: 5 Signs You're On The Right Path

outfit- ℅ Windsor Store

A couple of weeks ago I posted 5 Sacrifices Every Business Owner Has Made. 

I was surprised at the amount of you there are who either are currently running your own business, or have dreams of doing so. Good for you! On Thursdays, I'll be choosing business topics to discuss here, so feel free to leave any questions you have below. Many of you have questions on how and where to start, and concerns along that nature. I'm not going to answer that question specifically today, but I want to talk about some signs that you need to look for to help give you confidence that you are on the right path. Some of these might seem obvious, but you'd be shocked of how many people I have met that don't follow these. Here are:

  6 Signs You're On The Right Path

1- Your product/services are selling: I know, DUH… right? Except for the fact that I've worked with and met a lot of people who have been trying to sell the same product for a long time and it's just not working. They think it has to do with everything else but them. When you put your heart and soul into your business, it is very hard to admit when something isn't work. It makes you feel like you've failed. But I have news for you… what if instead of beating a dead bush, you put your ideas into a new product and gave that a chance? Most companies don't become successful with their first product. If your product/services are selling you know you're on the right path. When you reach new markets and customers, and they understand what you're doing and want to be a part of it… keep on going! Sometimes you'll add new services in, only to realize that it's not doing as well as you hoped. Don't be afraid to change your path and come up with fresh ideas.

2- You're excited to work on your business: Many days are hard when running your own business. I can't tell you that it gets easier when your company grows. It never gets easier. Some days you dread having to figure things out, deal with finances, employees, and on and on and on. If this feeling never goes away for you, I would suggest that you aren't on the right path. While you'll have days of frustration, you should feel excited, enthusiastic, and optimistic about the work you are doing. If you've been in a funk that hasn't ended for a while, reevaluate what needs to happen in your life and consider switching courses.

3- You have someone close to you who supports you: Have you ever heard the term, "don't marry anyone your family and friends don't like?" Well, I feel that it can also be applied to your business. If you have a good relationship with your family and perhaps a couple very close friends, it's important to get an objective view about how they see your business. If your family is the type who only wants the best for you and is supportive and likes to see you grow, and the do not support what you're doing, figure out why. Sometimes people on the outside can see things that we put blinders on for because we're too wrapped up in a fantasy world of success. I'm not saying this is true in every situation, but often times, if you are losing people who are close to you, reconsider. Your family and friends should be the first people in line to purchase what you have to offer, not run away from it.

4- You have plans for the future: I currently am making plans for projects that are taking place in the summer of 2015. You need to make plans. If you have plans, and are looking forward to accomplishing those plans, you are on a very good road. Goals and plans are a little different, in that a plan is a goal in action. You're moving forward with things, you have deadlines you're reaching and it continues to add to the snowball of successes you've seen.

5- Other people can tell your story for you: Do people know the purpose behind your brand and mission? If they were wearing your product and someone asked them where it came from, could they tell them? How would they tell them? Would they get excited and share in detail about your company? You better hope so! Listen to the stories that other people are telling about you, your brand, and your services. If you're on the right path, you'll have others right there on your path with you.