Forward-thinking: Small Business Planning

Fall is here y'all. School is in session, days are getting shorter and the air is crisp. My kids already have a countdown started for Halloween which means I'm busy working on my infamous hand-made costume-creations. I like getting creative, especially on projects that we can do together as a family. And there is nothing like getting started early and having it done with plenty of time to gorge on candy corn throughout the month of October without costume-anxiety.

Fall is also a great time to start thinking about January. JANUARY??!??!!!!  Yep, I said it. September brings 8 months of learning from your year. Ask yourself: What worked really well this year for your business? What marketing efforts produced a positive ROI? Which failures created great learning experiences? 

Review your business plan over a cup of hot apple cider and reflect on your mission statement, long term and short term goals. Are you on track? 

With early preparation you can hit the ground running in 2014- confident and ready to conquer!

www.sleeveshirtconsulting.com

Spotlight Entrepreneur: Simone McDowell of HoneeBee Gifts

Have you ever struggled to find the perfect gift? No matter what the occasion, Simone McDowell of HoneeBee Gifts is poised and ready to solve your gift-giving challenge. 

If you live in the Charlotte area you've probably seen Simone presenting her unique gift ideas on Charlotte Today along side some of our notable local TV hosts, or maybe you read about HoneeBee Gifts receiving the 2013 BOB Awards for Best Shopping/Style Blog.  

Simone McDowell

We are excited to share our interview with Simone!

Tell us about your business and target market. 

HoneeBee Gifts is a business that offers creative gift concepts and exceptional ideas to celebrate moments that mean the most to you through gifting. Established initially as a blog in July 2008 and expanded to include services such as personal gift shopping, one-on-one gift consultation and more, HoneeBee Gifts assists anyone who needs help picking out the perfect gift.

http://honeebeegifts.blogspot.com/

What is the most challenging aspect about being an entrepreneur? 

One of the most challenging to me would be the financial aspect—from various sides—I am a creative type so it’s hard to crunch numbers and it’s hard to continually tell people you are for hire, not for free.

What small business resource(s) can you NOT live without? 

I would say my cell phone…and I wish I could figure out Evernote…I probably couldn’t live without that if I could just figure it out.

Favorite social media site? I love Instagram (pre videos) because I am visual and you get a quick snapshot of what’s happening, captions or not.

What book has been an inspiration to you as an entrepreneur? 

Right now I am reading By Invitation Only by the Gilt Group founders and it’s inspiring to read how their business got started. I am also inspired by books like The Four Agreements and quotes that I come across...because sometimes all you have time to read is a quote. 

It may only be August, but if you are like me your mind is already thinking about those hard to buy for friends and family members for the holidays. Don't hesitate- reach out to Simone today!  PS: Especially for the Long and Short of It friends, subscribe to Simone's blog or link with her via social media to be first in line for upcoming promotions that HoneeBee Gifts has to offer.

Tweet Simone: @honeebeegifts
Facebook: Facebook.com/honeebeegifts
Link with her: Linkedin.com/simonemcdowell
Have fun Repinning her finds: Pinterest.com/honeebeegifts
Share some of your fave Instagram shots: @honeebeegifts


www.sleeveshirtconsulting.com