First off - allow me to give you both a virtual high-5, because I too, have just started my very own business odyssey, and right now I feel like I am rowing in circles around the sirens at this point. I have lists made about lists. Notes reminding me about notes that are made to remind me about the lists...and... I feel quite confident that you follow me. That being said, it's so incredibly exciting. Butttt...am I the only one that is so incredibly overwhelmed with all the necessary "first steps"? The domain, the website, the hosting, setting up the business email, building the website, designing the logo...I know ALL of this is so important, but is there a concise, short, to the point, LIST (I know, just what I need, another list...) that tells me exactly what to do, 1, 2, 3, then so on and so forth? Oh, and how to do it? Have you published your website, and if so, did you do the design yourself, or did you use Square's partner, 99designs to assist? If you used them, which package did you end up going with and are you happy with it? Did you set up your business email prior to designing the website? How did you go about setting up your business email? Ugh...so many questions.
But, the most important thing is this --- you asked for advice. I can give you some advice - it's simply what works for me. The most important piece of advice I could give you, or anyone for that matter is this - REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. In all facets of life, from day to day grind, to bucket list big - always be realistic. Reason being, expectations lead to disappointment. It's true. Bear with me for a moment - let me give you an example. Valentine's Day is coming up. I have expectations. I want flowers. Beautiful, fresh flowers, with crisp, dewy buds, just about to spring forth in all their glory. Peonies that will make you want to cry they are so lovely. Eucalyptus that you can smell from outside the house. Hyacinths that look like you could use them as pillows. I want to be pampered, ie hot stone pedicure, reflexology, full body deep tissue massage while the doves whisper sweet nothings to one another somewhere off in the distance and harps play lazily as the faint smell of cedar, lavender & vetiver cling to tip of my nose...jewelry would be nice, but not necessary. These are my expectations. I am quite certain that come next week, neither of my dogs will have bought me a gift certificate to the spa of my dreams, and if they manage, it will be with my own credit card - some flowers are poisonous to dogs, and mine love to live life on the edge - they would eat them, there will be no flowers - and peonies aren't even in bloom anymore, if I'm not mistaken. But...a night at home with the mutts, Schitt's Creek, our fav takeout and about 6 different cartons of our fav sherbets from HEB and finally, going to bed super late and NOT having to set an alarm for the next morning, is probably what I will end up getting, considering I'm happily single. Expectations like that will prevent me from enjoying a night like that (which, mind you, is literally the perfect night in my book) because they weren't realistic. Don't be too hard on yourself. Set goals that are achievable, while still be just ambitious enough. & above all else, make sure you're passionate about what you do, because that passion shines through and it provides fuel to carry you through the hard times that will, inevitably come. & best of luck to you both. Godspeed.
