info@123empresa.com www.123empresa.com (t) 301.244.9193 123 Empresa™©2012. All Rights Reserved.
Looking to start a business? What a great idea! Every day I get requests for tips on what to do or what to avoid when starting a business. In 2016 there are so many types of services and products that you can sell to become independent and become a business powerhouse.  Over the years I’ve seen countless business failures that have attempted to grow a business without wanting to spend money on a Business Consultant.  Tip #1. Being Cheap is definitely not the way to go. Talk to the experts. Pay them.  Here is a short list of tips that I can share with those interested in starting a business. Avoid Business Consultants that have no experience in the field.  Today it’s so easy to get duped into signing a consulting agreement with a person that has no real business experience.  Once signed, you’re into them for an invoice even if you’re not impressed with the Consultant. Do your homework and ask for past performance. Can my Business Idea Be Protected? Get a non- disclosure agreement signed so that this Consultant does not run away with your business model.  Some items can be protected such as intellectual property.  Not everything can be protected. You will need to research on how to protect your business ideas.  You hear and see free business consulting available.  It’s a simple rule, you get what you pay for.  Avoid these free resources as they don’t deliver any results.  Several of these programs treat clients as if it were social work.  Don’t waste your time with these symps (sympathizers). It will turn into doctor visits for them.  They get paid to report numbers with their donors and have no real metrics for how well businesses are developing. You don’t need an MBA to become a business expert or owner for that matter. Classroom theories vs. Real Life needs are clear as water and oil, and don’t mix. You get more out of speaking to a former or current business owner that is in the line of business that you have or are attempting to do.  Don’t be surprised if they decline to help you.  Its business, not personal.  You will need an industry insider, aka the Business Consultant. Banks give away Free Money? Never. Try to avoid financing immediately.  Starting a business with debt is the worst thing you can do.  Try to save a little and spend a little. Avoid Bankers or Consultants that push you to get financing.  These are your typical Sales Agents and most likely will get commissions, referral fees, or residual payments from the loan payments you make on the loan.  Also, Banks are not experts in the whole Scope of Business.  They are banks and have no prior knowledge or ability to forecast your success or failure rate. Keep this in mind.
· · · · ·
Avoid business partners if possible.  This should be number one.  Too many people will click to the idea of wanting in.  If this person does not have the (1) money, (2) time, or (3) experience to thrive your business then you should not consider them as a good candidate for a business partner.  These are three key factors that will help you avoid a headache and possibly a legal battle.  Consult an attorney before you sign any type of partnership. You’ve been warned. If you fail, get back up and try a new concept or strategy.  You will hear a lot of no’s but in the end its your decision since you are the owner.  Don’t forget, you’re the one writing the checks.  Failing can be a form of winning.  At least your trying.  Look at your circles and you can see who’s really winning out here.  A majority of your family or friends are not in business.  No disrespect, but what they know about business if they’re not even in your lane?  Learn from your mistakes and make the adjustments accordingly.  #StepYourGameUp. A majority of businesses fail within the first two years. Wonder why? Identify your markets, and end clients so that you may focus on them.  Don’t become a Symp.  A lot of people will waste your time.  Don’t feel bad when you’ve exhausted your contacts list and find yourself not being able to generate a sale.  Family and friends are not there to become clients.  Think, how can I obtain organic leads?  Do I need to poach competitors?  Pay a Market Research Firm to provide me with the Contact information of 10,000 leads?  Maybe? Think outside the box and strategize. Speak to a Sales Marketing Expert. Be wary of prowlers in your Garden of Eden.  There’s always a snake in your Garden.  People will try to infiltrate, steal, mooch, pretend and compete.  Your objective is to make money and trash the competition.  Be cut throat and don’t drop your guard. #TheseCl!ent$sAin’tLoyal.  Don’t expect clients to be loyal.  You can give them the discounts, waive fees, do work for no charge, and they still will go and do a deal with your competitor.  Be observant of what works in your strategy for client retention.  Have a solid consulting or services agreement that will allow you to bill for your work to its fullest. It’s better to be safe and charge for all your work effort or product.  Businesses are always looking for ways to reduce costs and will find themselves in the $5 bin basket for Service Providers.  Keep your foot down and don’t water down your product or services just to retain a cheap client. Be picky and particular of who wants to take up your time for meetings.  Implement a prescreen mechanism so that you don’t waste your time or resources.  Identify if this person is a decision maker and authorized to negotiate on behalf of that business.  Can he or she sign a contract and check? Beware of Clients that become your friends in order to get free consulting or services.  You will find yourself working for endless billable hours that you can’t charge for because you never had them sign a consulting or services agreement. It’s been over five minutes, time to hang up. #NoFriendZone #NoBrotherZone Thinking of Donating time to another organization?  Don’t do it.  You can be using this time to build your brand and cold calling for your business.  I’ve seen it over and over…Foundations, Non Profits, Chambers, and Public Programs that want free resources and can’t counter the work effort with something of equal or greater value.  I did my math on one
· · · · · · · · ·
project that I used to volunteer for and my work effort at the cost level exceeded $10,000 of work per year.  They wanted to make an exchange for a $300 exhibitor table that didn’t cost them anything.  You do the math…it doesn’t add up.  Don’t build another’s brand. Build yours.  Use modern web tools to aggressively compete.  Try to learn and understand the dynamics of marketing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Web Rankings, Social Media Marketing, the need to create and develop content for your business and brand, outreach, networking, email campaigning, mobile ad placement and more!  You need to be up to speed with your marketing.  At least know what options you have. Spend on Marketing.  If you’re not online, then no one knows who you are. If you can’t hand out a business card, then how do you expect prospects to contact you? I always get a cringe when I’m out of cards. Yikes. Even worse when I don’t even have my own email with my company domain.  123empresa@gmail.com....wtf? Dress for the Part. I’m probably the worst for this one, but it does make a difference.  This is a big one.  When I wear a suit people look at me like, What Does he do? Who is He?  When I don’t, He must be lost? LOL.  For those in the Construction or Cleaning Industries, when it comes to big networking events or negotiations wear a Suite.  I’m sure in my days as cleaner or construction laborer I would have shown up in my work clothes and not cared.  But I was 18 and it was 2003…its 2016, a lot has changed.   Identify resources, companies, people that you can utilize as sub-contractors, or vendors.  When in time of need, keep an eye out for alternates.  People will disappoint and leave you with a work effort that you cannot produce. You will need a plan B. Have a plan C.  Minimize your cost by phasing items that you need.  There are some things that you can do without and some that you cannot.  For example, do not take a five-year lease for an office space when you haven’t even developed your marketing.  No one will be able to find you anyways!  Prioritize.  Again, talk to a Business Consultant. Keep track of all business expenses as you will need all documentation when it’s time for taxes.  Try to scan copies as backups. #UncleSamNeedsAllofHis, don’t cross that line. If you have a non-compete agreement with your employer and you still need the job while you develop your start up, DO NOT TELL THEM THAT YOUR IN BUSINESS! Employers will find excuses (illegal and Legal ones) to remove you from your position.  Refer to your Employment Agreement and Company Manuals for these Policies. Consider talking to an Attorney also.  Measure your performance.  Set a benchmark or at least an expectation for what you feel you need to have accomplished by said date.  There’s nothing worse than having passed a year and not had accomplished anything. If your young, time is on your side.  If your old…I think you get where I’m going with this one. These are just a few tips.  I would be more than happy to assist those interested in hiring a Business Consultant for their Business Planning and Implementation. Feel free to check back at www.123empresa.com, Twitter: @123_empresa, YouTube Channel: 123 Empresa for more content on how to start, develop, grow, and even exit out your business.  I’ve worked with clients that have Fashion Brands, Accounting Services, Marketing, Janitorial, Restaurants, Retail, Construction, Electricians, Exporters, Tech, Business Consulting, Barbershops, Hair Salons, Food Trucks, Staffing, Outsourced Human Resources, and many more business models.  Feel free to email me at jchavez@123empresa.com.   Written by: Jose M. Chavez, Sr. Accountant and Business Consultant at 123 Empresa, www123empresa.com March 30, 2016
· · · · · · · ·
Feeling Start Up Ready Another perspective and opinion on business Starts Ups in 2016. 03/30/2016 06:57 pm ET
info@123empresa.com			 www.123empresa.com		 (t) 301.244.9193				 123 Empresa™©2012. All Rights Reserved.
Looking to start a business? What a great idea! Every day I get requests for tips on what to do or what to avoid when starting a business. In 2016 there are so many types of services and products that you can sell to become independent and become a business powerhouse.  Over the years I’ve seen countless business failures that have attempted to grow a business without wanting to spend money on a Business Consultant.  Tip #1. Being Cheap is definitely not the way to go. Talk to the experts. Pay them.  Here is a short list of tips that I can share with those interested in starting a business. Avoid Business Consultants that have no experience in the field.  Today it’s so easy to get duped into signing a consulting agreement with a person that has no real business experience.  Once signed, you’re into them for an invoice even if you’re not impressed with the Consultant. Do your homework and ask for past performance. Can my Business Idea Be Protected? Get a non- disclosure agreement signed so that this Consultant does not run away with your business model.  Some items can be protected such as intellectual property.  Not everything can be protected. You will need to research on how to protect your business ideas.  You hear and see free business consulting available.  It’s a simple rule, you get what you pay for.  Avoid these free resources as they don’t deliver any results.  Several of these programs treat clients as if it were social work.  Don’t waste your time with these symps (sympathizers). It will turn into doctor visits for them.  They get paid to report numbers with their donors and have no real metrics for how well businesses are developing. You don’t need an MBA to become a business expert or owner for that matter. Classroom theories vs. Real Life needs are clear as water and oil, and don’t mix. You get more out of speaking to a former or current business owner that is in the line of business that you have or are attempting to do.  Don’t be surprised if they decline to help you.  Its business, not personal.  You will need an industry insider, aka the Business Consultant. Banks give away Free Money? Never. Try to avoid financing immediately.  Starting a business with debt is the worst thing you can do.  Try to save a little and spend a little. Avoid Bankers or Consultants that push you to get financing.  These are your typical Sales Agents and most likely will get commissions, referral fees, or residual payments from the loan payments you make on the loan.  Also, Banks are not experts in the whole Scope of Business.  They are banks and have no prior knowledge or ability to forecast your success or failure rate. Keep this in mind. Avoid business partners if possible.  This should be number one.  Too many people will click to the idea of wanting in.  If this person does not have the (1) money, (2) time, or (3) experience to thrive your business then you should not consider them as a good candidate for a business partner.  These are three key factors that will help you avoid a headache and possibly a legal battle.  Consult an attorney before you sign any type of partnership. You’ve been warned. If you fail, get back up and try a new concept or strategy.  You will hear a lot of no’s but in the end its your decision since you are the owner.  Don’t forget, you’re the one writing the checks.  Failing can be a form of winning.  At least your trying.  Look at your circles and you can see who’s really winning out here.  A majority of your family or friends are not in business.  No disrespect, but what they know about business if they’re not even in your lane?  Learn from your mistakes and make the adjustments accordingly.  #StepYourGameUp. A majority of businesses fail within the first two years. Wonder why? Identify your markets, and end clients so that you may focus on them.  Don’t become a Symp.  A lot of people will waste your time.  Don’t feel bad when you’ve exhausted your contacts list and find yourself not being able to generate a sale.  Family and friends are not there to become clients.  Think, how can I obtain organic leads?  Do I need to poach competitors?  Pay a Market Research Firm to provide me with the Contact information of 10,000 leads?  Maybe? Think outside the box and strategize. Speak to a Sales Marketing Expert. Be wary of prowlers in your Garden of Eden.  There’s always a snake in your Garden.  People will try to infiltrate, steal, mooch, pretend and compete.  Your objective is to make money and trash the competition.  Be cut throat and don’t drop your guard. #TheseCl!ent$sAin’tLoyal.  Don’t expect clients to be loyal.  You can give them the discounts, waive fees, do work for no charge, and they still will go and do a deal with your competitor.  Be observant of what works in your strategy for client retention.  Have a solid consulting or services agreement that will allow you to bill for your work to its fullest. It’s better to be safe and charge for all your work effort or product.  Businesses are always looking for ways to reduce costs and will find themselves in the $5 bin basket for Service Providers.  Keep your foot down and don’t water down your product or services just to retain a cheap client. Be picky and particular of who wants to take up your time for meetings.  Implement a prescreen mechanism so that you don’t waste your time or resources.  Identify if this person is a decision maker and authorized to negotiate on behalf of that business.  Can he or she sign a contract and check? Beware of Clients that become your friends in order to get free consulting or services.  You will find yourself working for endless billable hours that you can’t charge for because you never had them sign a consulting or services agreement. It’s been over five minutes, time to hang up. #NoFriendZone #NoBrotherZone Thinking of Donating time to another organization?  Don’t do it.  You can be using this time to build your brand and cold calling for your business.  I’ve seen it over and over…Foundations, Non Profits, Chambers, and Public Programs that want free resources and can’t counter the work effort with something of equal or greater value.  I did my math on one project that I used to volunteer for and my work effort at the cost level exceeded $10,000 of work per year.  They wanted to make an exchange for a $300 exhibitor table that didn’t cost them anything.  You do the math…it doesn’t add up.  Don’t build another’s brand. Build yours.  Use modern web tools to aggressively compete.  Try to learn and understand the dynamics of marketing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Web Rankings, Social Media Marketing, the need to create and develop content for your business and brand, outreach, networking, email campaigning, mobile ad placement and more!  You need to be up to speed with your marketing.  At least know what options you have. Spend on Marketing.  If you’re not online, then no one knows who you are. If you can’t hand out a business card, then how do you expect prospects to contact you? I always get a cringe when I’m out of cards. Yikes. Even worse when I don’t even have my own email with my company domain.  123empresa@gmail.com....wtf? Dress for the Part. I’m probably the worst for this one, but it does make a difference.  This is a big one.  When I wear a suit people look at me like, What Does he do? Who is He?  When I don’t, He must be lost? LOL.  For those in the Construction or Cleaning Industries, when it comes to big networking events or negotiations wear a Suite.  I’m sure in my days as cleaner or construction laborer I would have shown up in my work clothes and not cared.  But I was 18 and it was 2003…its 2016, a lot has changed.   Identify resources, companies, people that you can utilize as sub-contractors, or vendors.  When in time of need, keep an eye out for alternates.  People will disappoint and leave you with a work effort that you cannot produce. You will need a plan B. Have a plan C.  Minimize your cost by phasing items that you need.  There are some things that you can do without and some that you cannot.  For example, do not take a five-year lease for an office space when you haven’t even developed your marketing.  No one will be able to find you anyways!  Prioritize.  Again, talk to a Business Consultant. Keep track of all business expenses as you will need all documentation when it’s time for taxes.  Try to scan copies as backups. #UncleSamNeedsAllofHis, don’t cross that line. If you have a non-compete agreement with your employer and you still need the job while you develop your start up, DO NOT TELL THEM THAT YOUR IN BUSINESS! Employers will find excuses (illegal and Legal ones) to remove you from your position.  Refer to your Employment Agreement and Company Manuals for these Policies. Consider talking to an Attorney also.  Measure your performance.  Set a benchmark or at least an expectation for what you feel you need to have accomplished by said date.  There’s nothing worse than having passed a year and not had accomplished anything. If your young, time is on your side.  If your old…I think you get where I’m going with this one. These are just a few tips.  I would be more than happy to assist those interested in hiring a Business Consultant for their Business Planning and Implementation. Feel free to check back at www.123empresa.com, Twitter: @123_empresa, YouTube Channel: 123 Empresa for more content on how to start, develop, grow, and even exit out your business.  I’ve worked with clients that have Fashion Brands, Accounting Services, Marketing, Janitorial, Restaurants, Retail, Construction, Electricians, Exporters, Tech, Business Consulting, Barbershops, Hair Salons, Food Trucks, Staffing, Outsourced Human Resources, and many more business models.  Feel free to email me at jchavez@123empresa.com.   Written by: Jose M. Chavez, Sr. Accountant and Business Consultant at 123 Empresa, www123empresa.com March 30, 2016
· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
Feeling Start Up Ready Another perspective and opinion on business Starts Ups in 2016. 03/30/2016 06:57 pm ET
123 Empresa
2388 Sun Valley Circle Silver Spring, MD 20906 US
Phone: 3012449193 Website: http://www.123empresa.com/