Canadian Small Business Women

Connection, Synergy, Community

Entrepreneurs: Don’t Go it Alone; You Can Get Expert Help, On Demand

 

I called up a lawyer the other day for some advice. It cost me less than $20. The same week, I called up an HR consultant & career coach and had a video chat. The advice and insight she gave me cost a little over $40. When I put it into action, it will be worth a few thousand dollars in income this year.

Have you ever been it a situation that made you think, “Wow, is that even legal?” Unless you have a lawyer friend who doesn’t mind talking shop on their downtime, your best bet until now has been Google, or a maybe a self-help book.

What if you could connect with a lawyer (or a career coach or an HR expert, or a digital marketing guru), and it wouldn’t cost you hundreds of dollars?

There is a way; actually, there are two ways, and before we go much farther, I want you to know I don’t work for either one — I’m just excited to share what I’ve learned. Plus, resources and support for entrepreneurs are among my favourite subjects.  We entrepreneurs, are by nature, “go-it-alone” types or we wouldn’t be entrepreneurs. If I had one piece of advice for every new business starting up, it would be to drop that line of thinking from day one, and take advantage of all the support that exists.

 

Lawyers On Demand

One of the most exciting things I have stumbled onto this year has been Legal Shield.  It doesn’t sound very exciting does it? I first heard about it about three years ago but in truth, its dull, solid-sounding name didn’t get my attention. Honestly, if I were in charge I’d rename. It needs a name more along the lines of “Legal Hammer” or “Legal Bayonet.” It’s more like a catapult than a shield although Legal Catapult doesn’t have the right ring to it at all; nor does Legal Hand Grenade.

In any case, Legal Shield is, in my humble opinion, a beautiful, effective and affordable weapon. Legal Shield is like CAA, but instead of tow truck coming to your rescue, you get access to real, live, lawyers in your home province or state. You pay a membership fee, and in return, you have emergency, 24-hour a day access to legal advice. The basic monthly fee in Canada is $26 month. I have literally not been able to find a single drawback.

I’ve called upon Legal Shield twice now. The first time, a client owed me money. The lawyers sent the client a collections letter that got his attention. Full disclosure: he still refuses to pay. I may take him to small claims court. The lawyers from Legal Shield will help me prepare the paperwork if I go that route. For $26 a month they won’t actually come to court with me but they’ll get me ready for my appearance. But, I rest easy knowing that the demand letter, delivered on a Friday around 5 p.m. ruined his long weekend. I mean, he wrote back right away. He was actually furious that I hired a lawyer to collect from him. Sometimes just knowing you got under someone’s skin is enough.

The second time is ongoing, so, I can’t go into much detail but suffice to say, if I had to pay a lawyer by the hour to take on our case, it would cost us thousands of dollars and, frankly, we simply wouldn’t be able to pursue it. The lawyer assigned to us has read our documentation, and has confirmed that we have a good case.  That confirmation alone has been worth the cost of membership. She’s drafted the first letter to get the ball rolling. Even if we lose the case, it will have cost us less than a cup of coffee a day.

There are no penalties or extra fees for ending your membership, either. Join for a month, six months or stay long term.

This is the link through which I joined Legal Shield (https://lisajibson.wearelegalshield.com/)

 

Experts and Professionals of All Kinds, Also on Demand

For every other kind of expert, and I mean pretty much every kind, there’s Magnifi. Magnifi is a new iPhone app that was launched in the spring.

Magnifi connects you with experts, as needed – pretty much on demand.  Would you like to have a chat with a career coach, or a wellness expert, or a web designer, without feeling like you have to commit to anything? Would you like to ask even one burning question? If you have an iPhone you can do that through Magnifi. An Android version is in the works and I’m guessing it’s coming soon because the demand is real.

Magnifi lets you talk one-on-one with that expert you need – privately, and if the expert is available, you might even get him or her, right then and there.

The cost varies from as low as 50 cents a minute. Many Magnifi experts offer free initial minutes to get you started. I’ve seen several experts who charge $5.00 a minute; the most expensive I’ve seen is $17 a minute but if you can afford that you should probably be a Magnifi expert yourself (if you have expertise to share, see the “Share My Expertise” link at the top of the Magnifi site).

Magnifi experts include a an electrician, an expert gardener, a nutrition coach, a wedding planner, digital marketing experts, relationship coaches, life coaches — the list just grows every day as experts join. Click here to see the list for yourself.

If you don’t have an iPhone, bookmark this somehow or follow Magnifi on Facebook so you know when the Android version is launched. They promise it is coming soon.

To use Magnifi, go to the Apple app store and download the Magnifi app. Once it’s installed, it’s very easy to navigate.  Search by name or keyword or browse a community of subject matter experts from around the world. If the expert’s profile shows he or she is available, you can even connect then and there.

Whatever You Do, Don’t Do It Alone

I can’t say enough about not going-it-alone. Whether it’s joining a Facebook group, a networking group or your local chamber of commerce or using one of these services I described above, never think of yourself as having to face your entrepreneurial journey alone. In fact, your success depends upon it.

 

* * * *

Stephanie Regan is a professional writer. Occasionally she takes on new clients. Her website is http://www.durhamwritingservices.com. Connect with Stephanie through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieregancopywriting/

Nuanced Career Advice … Why Professionals Need It The Most

Have you ever been excited to see a job listing that you know you’re qualified for … and then after confidently clicking ‘submit’ you only seem to hear crickets instead of the phone ringing or the sound of an email pinging a promising notification?

These days possessing a university degree or even a professional designation doesn’t mean that you’ll be immune from career-related challenges (see this blog post about the perceived value of a university degree). Sometimes, it’s possible to graduate from a program and then learn that there are too many graduates with a similar background for the available positions (e.g., law school graduates who struggle to find an articling position or certified teachers who settle for supply teaching, or for work outside of the area of their hard-earned degree).

If education isn’t enough, what is needed?

This raises an important question: if a solid education is no longer enough to guarantee a good career, what else is needed? Where can you find out? Who can you count on to help? A quick Google search for career advice from career coaches and consultants will turn up countless pages with options. An endless supply of reliable and supportive information … right? Not necessarily.

The vast array of coaching options and sources of career advice that are listed online can make it hard to know who is the real deal. One problem is that the career coaching industry is not regulated so it can be hard to tell who’s suitable versus who’s marketing makes them appear that way (see this blog on the value of expertise). If you dig deeper, you will discover that many of the career coaches have earned their certifications/ designations in a relatively short amount of time (e.g., hours or days). Even worse, many haven’t accomplished much professionally in a relevant field before taking on the coaching role and starting to dole out career advice. It’s one thing to give some career advice to a high school graduate looking for part-time work while attending school, but tackling the role of a coach when handling an established professional’s livelihood and other high stakes situations is a different matter, in my opinion.

So, which occupations are experiencing this professional ‘overcrowding’? Which career paths are now being ‘disrupted’ after decades and decades of being stable? These include the following fields and roles:

  • Law
  • Teaching/education
  • Managers/supervisors
  • Administrative roles/simple project management
  • Journalism
  • Financial services (banking, financial planning/advisory, etc.)
  • … plus, others

Unwritten rules may be hidden obstacles …

The current workplace dynamics are even more complicated for people who are dealing with additional challenges. For example, if you’re a relative newcomer to Canada you may not understand some of the unwritten rules that govern effective job searches, the reality of the Canadian workplace, and the actual hiring process. The hiring process is daunting for aspiring workers who have relevant experience but have not mastered the new rules ofonline screening.  In certain professions including the financial industry, law, engineering, and academia, there are nuances and hidden assumptions that are not common knowledge. Because of these unwritten rules, ‘regular’ career coaches who have not earned advanced or professional degrees will probably be unaware of how to navigate those systems, let alone help someone else prepare for them. Simply put, not every career coach has the insider knowledge or connections within those circles. It takes time and exposure to certain experiences and environments to acquire the kind of expertise and insight that’s necessary to fully grasp all the nuance and complexity of certain professional jobs.

With so much invested, you need a return on those efforts

Since I spent almost 10 years obtaining my B.Sc., Master’s and Ph.D. in Psychology, I understand what it’s like to invest heavily in one’s professional training and education. Likewise, I can understand why professionals may prefer to work with me since they have confidence in my breadth and depth of experience, training, discretion, and approach.

The more difficult or complex the situation, the more useful my services become …

5 ways my career advice stays nuanced:

Most professionals and aspiring professionals see me as a suitable resource for them particularly when the risks are high, and/or their current situation is overwhelming and complicated. Typical obstacles that I help my clients to resolve include:

1. Leaving a job because of their managers’/supervisors’ professional jealousy and/or other factors which have created a toxic workplace (e.g., workplace bullying or sexual harassment)

2. Planning to leave a job for which they are overqualified so that they can avoid being sidelined into an unsuitable role for the long-term

3. Applying credentials and/or experience obtained in another country in a way that makes good use of the person’s abilities – even if those skills and experience are used in a somewhat different context

4. Navigating real or perceived complications that may relate to race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation (please see these previous blog posts related to discrimination and values).

5. My standard practice of being discrete and directing clients to appropriate resources, including sensitive interventions for people who are dealing with threatening/unsafe situations in their personal and/or professional circles.

 

Have sensitive career or HR-related concerns? I invite you to contact me byemail, phone, or via direct message on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn if you’d like to discuss any of these topics in more detail.

More than career coaching, it’s career psychology®.

I/O Advisory Services– Building Resilient Careers and Organizations.

Tips to Save on your Energy Bill when you work from home

Written by Canadian Small Business Women on behalf of our sponsor, Just Energy.

 

Households and small businesses in Ontario pay time-of-use prices for electricity that change according to the TIME OF DAY and DAY OF THE WEEK. The peak periods also change by SEASON. What this means though, is that households have to pay attention to the on-peak and off-peak schedule for Electricity rates and schedule their appliance use in the home around this schedule. For those of us who work from home, this means that we are often using the majority of the electricity in our house during on-peak hours.

Follow these tips to reduce your energy usage and save money:

  1. Upgrade to energy efficient appliances. Since 1992, the US Environmental Protection Agency initiative, Energy Star, has reviewed and rated energy efficiency in appliances, products and companies. Look for the blue star on new appliances to ensure that you are purchasing energy efficient appliances. Old home appliances that should be upgraded include heaters, hot water tanks, dishwashers and laundry machines.
  2. Use energy efficient light bulbs. LED light bulbs use up to 90% less energy and last 15-25 times longer than standard bulbs, meaning they need to be replaced less often.
  3. Reduce heating and cooling costs by using proper insulation, and using blackout or heat absorbing curtains on the windows.
  4. Unplug electronic devices that are not in use. All electronic devices will still consume electricity when they are turned off. Unplugging devices that are not in use, or using power bars that can be turned off will prevent your electronics from over-using electricity. Unplugging laptops and mobile devices that have already reached full charge will also help save their batteries by not over-charging.
  5. Compare electricity and natural gas costs with companies other than your local utility.

Just Energy now offers “My Time”, a unique electricity product which provides you with a single rate, no matter what time of day. Furthermore, with My Time the price you pay for your electricity will always be lower than mid-peak and on-peak rates.

Switching from your local utility to Just Energy ensures a hassle-free and cost-effective way to manage your home’s energy usage. Please call your Trusted Energy Advisor at 416.937.5090 for more details about this offer. Alternatively, visit justenergydeals.com/csbw to learn more and sign up today on more offers.

Just Energy is a proud sponsor of Canadian Small Business Women. Talk to a Just Energy representative at one of our upcoming events. Sign up today to win a Just Energy Office Package at NorthSpace in North York. Offer lasts until 23rd August*

Dealing with Negative Comments on Social Media

Teach Me Social Blog - dealing with negative comments on social mediaIt’s happened to all of us. We work hard to publish an article or a social media post only to have someone come along and respond with a negative or defamatory comment. It’s disheartening, frustrating, upsetting and even angering and it takes every ounce of patience to not want to write back an equally negative and snarky reply. I’ve been there, and I’ve felt the same way. But I can honestly tell you that the best way to respond to negativity on social media is with positivity.

Sir Isaac Newton described his 3rd Law of Motion by explaining that “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.” In elementary Mathematics, we are taught that a negative and positive number of the same absolute value cancel each other out in an equation (ie. -4 + 4 = 0) What does this have to do with social media? Well, the same notion of countering forces can be applied to all positive and negative forces, energy and comments.

As a rule of thumb in customer service, it is always best to respond to customer complaints in a calm, professional manner. As business owners, we need to recognize that the customer just wants to feel validated for their complaint. This can be handled in a number of ways, but it is always best to acknowledge their negative experience and try to offer a solution. There may not always be a mutually agreeable solution, but remember that an angry customer has more potential to do damage to your business’ reputation than a happy one.

Here are some important Do’s and Don’t’s when considering how to respond to customer complaints, reviews or feedback on Social Media…. KEEP CALM AND RESPOND WITH CALM Poster

What not to do –  

  • Don’t ignore it. It might be tempting to try to delete the comment, or hope it quickly fades down in people’s newsfeeds, but there is never any guarantee. It is always better to respond and address the problem than ignore it and hope it goes away.
  • Don’t respond back with negativity. In the world of debates, two negatives never equal a positive! Responding with anger or offence is just going to add fuel to the fire. It’s upsetting for everyone involved and surrounds your business with negative energy.
  • Don’t get into a battle. There is nothing to be gained from trying to have the final say. Anyone following the discussion on your social network will be able to “see” the entire battle unfolding and each of your followers has an easy click to unfollow you and refuse to see any future posts from your business.

What to do instead –

  • DO take time to formulate an appropriate response before typing any reply to the comment. If possible, ask a colleague or trusted friend to read your reply first before you publish it online. Taking time not only allows you to respond with a clear head, but it also has likely given your disgruntled customer a chance to cool off too.
  • DO respond with professionalism and offer to address the complainant’s concerns offline, perhaps via email address or over the phone. Offer a solution to the problem right up front so that the next step is in their hands to either take you up on the offer, or to walk away.
  • DO end the discussion quickly, after a single, well composed reply. There is nothing to be gained by carrying on the discussion if you first response did everything to address the complaint, offer a solution and provide a non-social media form of communication to use to continue the conversation.

Teach Me Social owner Kelly Farrell has been helping empower Canadian Small Business owners through social media for over for years. Teach Me Social now offers services ranging from training sessions for small business owners and their teams, to full-service social media account management. Visit teachmesocial.ca to learn more about our service offerings or to contact us today for a no obligation consultation, including an audit of your existing social media channels.

Kelly Farrell - Teach Me Social -headshot (2)

Four Common Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make

Praveeni

Being an entrepreneur is a challenging and rewarding experience but it’s not without its pitfalls. Although a business idea may seem profitable  it may not always be the case and in business as in life failure (along with success) is inevitable. Everyone makes mistakes but it doesn’t mean success won’t come your way eventually, here’s a quick look at the 4 most common mistakes entrepreneurs make:

  1. Overvaluing their product/company
    Most businesses start off with funding in the way of a business loan or investors. Although there are many sources for investment, funding may be hard to come by if you’ve over valued your company. If you’ve ever watched the show Dragons Den you’ll find that many entrepreneurs do this,; not maliciously but because they believe so strongly in their product or idea that they fail to see it’s realistic value.
  1. Overly diversifying product offering
    As a new business owner it’s easy to get caught up in expanding your product offering as your business grows. Though it’s good to provide a range of choices, overly diversifying business services or products can lead to dilution of your company’s mission and vision. It’s important to take a step back and look at why you started in the first place. In most cases a few key products will drive sales and increase business, instead of offering new products work on improving the ones that are profitable.

 

  1. Calling themselves “experts”

The term “expert” gets thrown around way too often in the business world. These days everyone’s an expert at                    something, or so they say. Some may argue that marketing yourself as an expert gives clients the impression that no          one else can provide the same level of service.  However labeling yourself as an expert can limit your ability to learn            and grow as an entrepreneur. The key is never to be the smartest person in the room; this doesn’t mean downplay              your knowledge but rather be open to increase your knowledge base.

     4. Spending marketing dollars too early

Marketing is tricky as it can help increase and decrease sales. Many entrepreneurs end up spending too much money         on marketing campaigns that have no goal or focus and thus do not result in profitable returns. Simply building brand           awareness is not enough. In order to build awareness you must first build a brand, and this can only be achieved                 through clients and sales. Although it’s tempting to run ads or start accounts on all the latest social media channels               first focus on building a clientele, without clients you have no brand.

Praveeni Perera is the CEO and co-founder of Professional Edge Consulting a corporate training company based in Ottawa offering training and coaching services to clients around the world.  She can be reached via Website, Twitter, Facebook or her Blog.

Multiple Streams of Income … getting yours!

yvonne

 We seem to live in a world of wanting and needing more, and most times, meeting these needs requires money! For more than half the population or what we have come to know as the one percent, making more money is the key to unlocking all our desires. Even the scriptures aptly state that money answereth all things.

If you have ever asked, ‘how can I make money doing the things I like?’ and are unwilling to give up you primary source of income, then you are faced with a challenge many face in today’s economy.

A good way of taking of this feat is to identify what suits you best, take it seriously by committing to it, and create a plan that makes you stand out from the rest. Here are a few strategies to help get you started

  • Explore a skill you have. Something you enjoy doing, which you can easily be offered in your spare time in return for a charge. Have you got a flair for decorating, interior design, fixing furniture, baking or making clothes? Whatever it is, you can use this skill! Many people have created successful businesses from making use of their skills on a part-time basis.
  • Provide a service using the web. The world has become a global marketplace, and taking advantage of this easily accessible platform brings you closer to the centre of creating an income. Services that you can provide on the web may include proofreading; writing articles and reviews; designing graphics and websites; or anything else that does not require a face-to-face interaction. Web services are good money makers, given that you provide services based on your skills.
  • Online Stores. Can you sell something that people from around the world would buy? Having an online shop does not require you to be constantly present. As long as you have a valid email, a proper payment tracking software, and desirable goods and services you can make more money. Items you could think of selling include unwanted furniture, traditional and vintage pieces, handmade crafts, accessories and clothing, etc.
  • Selling your knowledge. Are you good at giving advice and helping people find solutions to problems? Do you have the training and techniques that can mentor a person through a difficult time? Then you can turn your knowledge and wisdom into income. It is from such intellectual knowledge that consulting agencies, counselors and therapist make money.

Be aware that these ideas are not new, the only difference is the unique and special thing which you will add to make you stand-out, as well as planning and structuring your services professionally.

There is a quote that goes “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.” The answer might very well be in your hands, but it is up to you to apply wisdom to you gifts, talents and skills, to make room for more money.

To learn about Yvonne’s latest book on Changing your Mindset for greater results, visit http://www.oliveblue.com/changeyourmindset/

Yvonne is an Author, Speaker, Change Consultant & John Maxwell Leadership Coach who is passionate about working with Individuals, Entrepreneurs and Organisations to help implement change they want and achieve their goals.   

She can be reached at: www.oliveblue.com . www.facebook.com/oliveblueinc . www.twitter.com/oliveblueinc.www.youtube.com/ChangeYouWantTV

Don’t Feel Overwhelmed By Your Social Media Networks

Aviary Photo_130605261112039905

As a business owner, engaging on social media can often feel quite overwhelming. With continuously changing newsfeeds, tweets and posts, and so little time to go through everything, it is very easy to feel frustrated with real-time online content.

Quite honestly, we’d rather forget about this part of online marketing too. I mean, there’s nothing better than looking out a window, instead of having your eyes glued to a (small) electronic screen. Unfortunately, our ideal job as a professional window gazer will have to wait for now.

Seeing as this is no longer the 20th century, social media networks have significantly changed how we as people communicate and do business. Whether we like it or not, social media is here to stay. No matter how uncomfortable or overwhelming it might make us feel, we have to use it to further maximize our business potential.

So, here are three easy steps to lower your social media anxiety:

  1. Master One Social Media Platform At a Time

Each platform is going to have its challenges, limitations and advantages. It is important to take the time to understand each platform’s functions, as well as the company’s ability to integrate new features to better suit market demands. For instance, did you know that because Facebook is currently gaining ground on Youtube video posts it is ready to promote your video posts over you picture posts? Or did you know that Instagram users are 58 times more likely to like, comment, or share a brand’s post than Facebook users, and 120 times more likely than Twitter users?

Really mastering how to use a social media platform, and understanding its significant tech changes, is important to the well-being of you, your business and your clients. Don’t rush into it, take your time and learn through observation and research.

  1. Scheduling is Your Best Friend

Quality content is Queen when it comes to social media. Have thousands of followers doesn’t guarantee engagement, especially if your content is not relevant, hard to read or outdated. This is why you should take a time or day a week to sit down and research trends, events or news related to your sector or field of business. Combine this with your company’s latest product events and promotions, and you should more than enough material to start scheduling posts for the following week.

By using tools such as Hootsuite, Sprout Social or Buffer, your life will be a whole lot easier. Schedule the time and day for your posts (and in some cases even the perfect target market), and forget about the days  when you wondered if you have the time to post online.

  1. Make Time to Engage with Your Followers

Social media is called ‘social’ for a reason. That’s why I like to recommend clients to set time aside to engage with their followers. Retweet, share or repost followers’ interesting, relevant posts. Interact, connect, follow-back and ask for feedback whenever possible. By doing so, you’re actively building brand-recognition and working towards customer loyalty and trust.

Most importantly, be respectful and have fun while engaging with others online. Give your business that unique voice that only you can give it.

Written by Marisol and Silvia Fornoni, Founders of JDC.

JDC supports socially conscious organizations with finding sustainable ways to tell their stories using visual design, engaging content and non-traditional media. We help you with anything from organizing fundraising campaigns to web design and social media management.

http://www.joint-development.com

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Standing Alone

yvonne

I was about to send some information I stumbled across to a friend that I thought would surely help them with a situation they were experiencing and lift their mood, and just before I hit the send button it occurred to me that I had been doing the same thing for the last couple of years… always quick to send unsolicited tidbits and give advice where I had not been asked even though it was with best intentions.

At the point of hesitation, I felt a nudge (what I call the spirit) say to me ‘sometimes you have to let people help themselves’. In that second I was reminded that if we continue to spoon-feed our kids, friends, colleagues and even clients with the answers and not let them find it for themselves, we rob them of the opportunity to build the required muscles that help them to stand strong and successfully move forward in finding lasting success.

When we take the bold step to find the way and answers we need, we empower ourselves to find true and lasting success. We may struggle, stumble and fall at the beginning, but every fall has the ability to make us stronger as we learn from our mistakes and fail forward!

How do you feel when given unsolicited help or advice? Do you help or give advice without being asked? How do you know when to give unsolicited help or advice or not?

Comment below. Would love to hear your thoughts.

To learn about Yvonne’s latest book on Changing your Mindset for greater results, visit http://www.oliveblue.com/changeyourmindset/

Yvonne is an Author, Speaker, Change Consultant & John Maxwell Leadership Coach who is passionate about working with Individuals, Entrepreneurs and Organisations to help implement change they want and achieve their goals.   

She can be reached at: www.oliveblue.com . www.facebook.com/oliveblueinc . www.twitter.com/oliveblueinc.www.youtube.com/ChangeYouWantTV

What to do with all the naysayers

Jennifer J

You’ve decided to step out on your own and defy the status quo. Internally you feel the trepidation and you hear the voices in your head telling you that you are never going to succeed. What is worse, however, is then having to hear the voices of others saying “that sounds stupid”, “no way that will work” or “that sounds risky – are you sure?”.

It’s inevitable when you decide to take life into your own hands and do something that only a rare few have been able to achieve that you will face criticism. Unfortunately,‘naysayers’ are a fact of life. So what do you do with these naysayers?

The many self-help books you read today tell you to ignore those naysayers and to eliminate them from your life. Do not allow them to be a road block on the path you have chosen to take.  Whilst this is prudent advice and definitely something to consider when you do begin to hear the criticism; it is important to note that not all naysayers are out to see you fall.  What ifthe naysayer were a mentor? What if they were parents or close friends?

More often than not, entrepreneurs become so consumed with their ideas that it becomes extremely difficult to take a step back and analyse what they are doing with clear and honest eyes. It just may be the case that the naysayers were right, but you just couldn’t see it and chose to ignore them. If only you had listened you could have saved a lot of time, energy and money. So what is the balance?

To determine whether you should listen to a naysayer you must look to  what the source of the opinion is. How valid is the opinion of a person who has spent their lives working a 9-5 job for a pay check, with no courage to pursue their dreams; or worse yet, has no dreams? They have never entered the arena of entrepreneurship and never dirtied their hands with the risk, vulnerability or failure of starting a business. Worse yet, they have no experience or qualifications in the industry you are about to enter.  How valid should their opinion be? Remember, you are the gate keeper to what opinions you let in and what you disregard; and this type of naysayer needs to be disregarded!

But what if your mentor does not believe in your idea? Your mentor who has relevant knowledge and experience to give you an informed opinion.  I had previously begun a business venture in a new industry with little to no experience. I had started spending money to develop products and had invested a lot of my time. My enthusiasm for the idea had blinded me from the realities of the industry I wanted to enter. However,  I was fortunate enough to speak with an expert in the field who really shed light on how overcrowded the industry was and how much money it would take and how difficult it truly was to create a following in that sector. Based on this advice, I decided not to pursue my idea any further and am now very thankful for listening.

Not all naysayers are championing for you to fail.  Maybe it is necessary for you to take the advice of your mentor and quit. It may save you a lot of time, energy and money that you may waste 1, 5 or 10 years down the track when you realised your idea really wasn’t that great.

What if the naysayer was your parents or best friend? It is so important to understand why they are being naysayers. They come from a place of love, but this usually means finding a respectable 9-5 job so you have a reliable income and they can have peace of mind.

It’s really important to understand that before you decide to entertain the opinion of a naysayer you need to look at the source of the opinion. It is hard to have this mind shift. But I guarantee if you try, it will soon become a habit which inevitably will make your life easier as it will allow you to step back and  better assess your idea so that you may evaluate whether you want to proceed with it or not.

Jennifer Jampala is a budding entrepreneur, traveler and yogi. She is passionate about building businesses, relationships and experiences.