Time Management Is All The Rage from Beth Andrus on Vimeo.

Time has been flying.  Tomorrow is September 1^st, and the holidays will be here before you know it.  If you’re in the Los Angeles area, you can become a vendor for the Unique LA holiday show on Dec 11 & 12.  This is the largest independent design show in the country, and is a chance to make extra sales and get some exposure before the end of the year.  The application deadline is September 30^th.

If you’re not in the area, you can organize your own holiday trunk show.  Or you can partner with some other businesses and set up your own pop-up store in November or December.  There is a lot of empty retail space in most cities, and many landlords would welcome the chance to make a little rental income.  These occasional, temporary shops have been a trend of the past 18 months, and I believe it will continue for a while. 

This has been a difficult year for many, but you can make the most of it by creating your own opportunities.  So do what you can to get the most out of 2010, and we’ll all start fresh in 2011.

Pick Up The Phone & Call from Beth Andrus on Vimeo.

Procrastination can lead to disorganization, but let’s face it, we all procrastinate at one time or another. (Hopefully not all the time.) I read these two tips last week and gave them and try. And guess what… they really worked.

For many tasks, getting started is the hardest part. Choose a task you have been putting off, and set the timer for 15-20 minutes. Focus solely on this task until the timer goes off. You will have taken the first step, and each following step will be exponentially easier… at least that’s how it will usually work. This tip worked really well for me, because mentally, it’s no big deal to commit 15-20 minutes.

The next tip is to make a list of tasks that should take 5 minutes or less – filing the week’s receipts, sorting through mail, shredding/throwing out unnecessary documents, etc… Choose two of these tasks to accomplish every other hour. This will help keep you organized, keep clutter from accumulating, and force you to take a short break from your computer every couple of hours.

I had success with both of these approaches. I believe they’ll work for most people because they both offer a pretty immediate sense of accomplishment, and that can be very motivating. So give them a try.

6 months ago I was asked to write an essay for an eBook, about one thing I wish I had known in the beginning.  There are 30 pages, each written by a different person.  I'm sure you'll find a few that really resonate with you.  My entry is on page 8. 

You can read through the slides online and/or download the PDF here: know1thing.com  Feel free to share it. Enjoy!

Networking Without The Yuck Factor from Beth Andrus on Vimeo.

Below is an updated version of a previous post about micro-loans.  Given the state of business loan activity, it’s time for a recap.

A micro loan is different than a regular business loan from a bank. First, the loans are made by private nonprofit intermediaries, using funds from the SBA.   And second, micro loans are very small. The loan may be for as little as $100 up to a maximum of $35,000, and the repayment period is short, between 1 and 6 years, depending on the organization and loan amount.

The borrowed money may be used for anything from working capital to inventory. One of the few difficulties in obtaining micro loan funding, however, is that the nonprofit intermediaries distribute funds regionally, in their own communities. If you don’t live near one of these lenders, you may have trouble getting one of these loans.

And don’t shy away from applying for a micro loan because you have not been in business long, or are just starting out.  That’s one of the things these loans are for. You’re personal tax returns are usually substituted for business tax returns, and unlike most banks, these lenders are comfortable with the needs, collateral and experience level of very small business borrowers (you guys).

There are other micro loan programs outside of the SBA program. Kiva.org, known for its international micro lending programs, has recently started facilitating loans to very small businesses in the U.S.  They, too, funnel the money through intermediaries, so you may need to Google “micro loans for small business” and do some research, in order to find one of these companies near you.

As lending remains tight, more and more small businesses are needing to find help outside of the banks, either to expand or to just keep the doors open until things turn around.  As micro lending opportunities increase and evolve, I’ll continue to share the information with you.

Be Prepared from Beth Andrus on Vimeo.

As times continue to be challenging, I think it's a good idea to remember all that we have to be grateful for.  Today's post is a reprint.  Enjoy.

I know it’s easy to look around and focus on the things that haven’t gone your way, things you’ve lost, and the obstacles you face. But if you take a moment to list out, in your mind or on paper, everything that you have going for you, chances are you’re ahead. If you’re reading this, you have access to a computer. And you have the ability to read. And you have the ability to see.

This should show you how easy it is to forget everything we have working in our favor. I don’t want to make any assumptions, but if you start with your most basic fortunes and build upon those, I know you will see that you have much to be thankful for. We all do.

Gratitude is a tonic that can calm your anxiety. Listing your blessings will not directly fix your problems, but it will give you a new perspective. And this will encourage you to keep going and maybe even to pass your newly perceived good fortune onto others.

I have had a string of challenges in the last 6 weeks, but I worked hard at staying positive.  As difficult as that was at times, it allowed me to work through everything and find the best solutions.  Don't forget the things that are working in your favor.  If you want a little more help realizing how much is actually going right in your life, check out this book about “pronoia".

Coaching - Keep Your Own Style from Beth Andrus on Vimeo.