Category Archives: Small Business Owners

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60 Life Lessons in 60 Years: A Guide to Winning in Business and Thriving in Life

Winding asphalt road through low country countryside at sunrise, symbolizing the journey of life and business with 60 years of wisdom lighting the way

As someone who recently celebrated their 60th birthday, with over 40 years of business experience, 30 years as a life mentor, and a decade as an ICF certified and accredited business and life coach, I’ve learned that success in business and fulfillment in life are deeply intertwined.

Today, I’m sharing 60 invaluable lessons I’ve gathered over the years to help you win in business and thrive in life. These insights cover everything from faith and family to finances and fun, providing a holistic approach to personal and professional growth.

60 Life Lessons for Business Success and Personal Fulfillment

Faith and Spirituality in Business and Life

  1. The best decisions I’ve made in life and business have occurred after spending time on my knees in prayer.
  2. Trusting God is a lot easier when you are out of options. Spiritual maturity is learning to trust God in all things.
  3. Starting the morning in prayer with an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving sets the stage for a great day.

Building Strong Relationships

  1. You were not created to do life on your own; building and nurturing relationships is a wise investment that pays huge dividends.
  2. Never stop dating your spouse and doing the things that won their heart.
  3. Presents are nice, but time with family and friends are the best gifts.

Personal Growth and Self-Discovery

  1. It’s ok to not yet know what your purpose in life is. It’s never ok to not be pursuing what it is.
  2. We never drift toward positive or healthy things in life.
  3. Your twenties is a time for exploration and discovery. Don’t be in a hurry to know what you’re supposed to do in life.

Leadership and Professional Development

  1. The best mentors are those who have been mentored themselves.
  2. Being five minutes early communicates you respect someone else’s time more than your own.
  3. Ego and pride provide confidence and bravado in some circumstances but they can also be barriers that prevent people from getting to know you who you truly are.

Cultivating Gratitude and Kindness

  1. A handwritten thank you note communicates far more than just your appreciation.
  2. Kindness is contagious, be known for spreading it wherever you go.
  3. A random text or call to just let someone know you’re thinking about them and have prayed for them makes them feel special and reveals you are a good friend.

Embracing Life’s Simple Pleasures

  1. Don’t be so busy that you miss God’s handiwork on display… sunrises and sunsets occur daily, not just things to take in while on vacation.
  2. A casual dinner with friends at someone’s home is far better evening out at some busy restaurant.
  3. Impromptu slow dances in the kitchen and kisses say I love you in a language of its own.

Nurturing Relationships

  1. Never let a week go by without checking in with your spouse. A great question to ask is: “Have I done or said something which left you feeling unappreciated or didn’t convey to you how much I love you?”
  2. We were not meant to do life on our own… Hebrews 10:24-25 declares this, and I profess it’s true. Find your community… and then help each other thrive.
  3. There will be a time when you just don’t have the words to share with a friend who is experiencing heartache. But in the silence your presence will speak volumes about how much you care.

Personal Development and Self-Care

  1. It’s really true, on those days when you don’t feel like exercising, if you give it five minutes, 90% of the time you will accomplish your objective for the day.
  2. Not liking what you see in the mirror just means there is some work to do. Embrace it, create a plan to change what you see, and be willing to set aside your pride if you need some assistance.
  3. When you’re trying to determine if something should be part of your life ask, “is this ‘thing‘ hindering me or helping me become the person I want to be?” Once you have the answer… act accordingly.

Financial Wisdom and Material Possessions

  1. Many of the material things you think ‘you have to have’ will one day end up being sold at a garage sale or donated to a charity.
  2. Pursuing shortcuts and attempting to fast-track results rarely work in your favor. Put forth the effort, trust the process, and embrace the journey.

Time Management and Prioritization

  1. God’s Word teaches us to number our days. Focus on the people and things that matter most in your life and don’t dwell on naysayers or sweat the small stuff.
  2. Always have something on your calendar that you are looking forward to. And it doesn’t have to be a vacation, it can be time with a good friend.
  3. Make it a priority to spend your time doing things you enjoy, with people you enjoy, and figuring out how to do very little of what you don’t like.

Pursuing Passions and Purpose

  1. The best hobbies are ones that can be shared with others. This can be giving away what you create or doing things with people you enjoy spending time with.
  2. Cody Johnson’s lyric is spot on… if you have a dream chase it, because a dream won’t chase you back. 
  3. There will come a time when making a difference in life matters more than achieving success… the sooner this occurs the happier you will be.

Overcoming Challenges and Building Resilience

  1. Setbacks are inevitable, so when one occurs apply the five ‘R’s’ – Rest, Regroup, Recalibrate, Refocus, and then Relaunch.
  2. Losing or failing at something you try is inevitable… no one succeeds 100% of the time. But failure occurs when you don’t try or don’t apply the lessons learned.
  3. Don’t say, “One day you’ll do something’ for too long, because there will come a day when you won’t physically be able to do it.”

Fostering Trust and Integrity

  1. People will come to know who you truly are not by what you say, but by what they see you do.
  2. Honor all your commitments big and small, they build a foundation of trust and confidence that is appealing to friends and business colleagues alike.
  3. Always be kind and remember to say thank you to those serving you, they deserve it and it just might make their day.

Embracing Growth and Change

  1. Fight the urge to rush becoming who you think you are supposed to be… it takes time to discover the real you and the passion that lives within.
  2. Don’t be afraid to try new things, different experiences, and explore hobbies that interest you. Life gets pretty monotonous doing the same things year after year.
  3. Spiritual growth is a journey that never ends this side of Heaven.

Cultivating Empathy and Understanding

  1. I’ve rarely regretted giving someone the benefit of doubt, but I usually regret jumping to conclusions.
  2. A high percentage of people you meet in life have a burden they’re carrying. It may be something they’re carrying themselves or something they are helping a loved one carry. Be kind and empathetic.
  3. Giving someone the benefit of the doubt before they have earned it says a lot about you and your approach to life.

Balancing Independence and Interdependence

  1. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it signifies self-awareness.
  2. When you are in the midst of challenges, fight the urge to go it alone. God has placed people in your life to guide and encourage you, seek their counsel.
  3. A mentor won’t find you; you must find your mentors. Don’t know where to look… start with someone who has already accomplished what you want to do. And see if they will share their story of how they did.

Cultivating a Positive Mindset

  1. You will rarely have a bad day when you make it a priority to make other people smile and feel good about themselves.
  2. For many people it is harder to forgive yourself than it is to forgive someone else. But freedom is found when we cultivate a forgiving heart.
  3. Make sure the people you love also know how much you believe in them.

Maintaining Perspective

  1. Life is short. The days go slow and years go fast, prioritize building relationships over building wealth.
  2. Every marriage is comprised of two imperfect people. And the sooner those imperfect people learn the value of grace and forgiveness the happier they’ll be.
  3. A house will never feel like a home without people to share it with.

Embracing Authenticity and Transparency

  1. If left to ourselves we can rationalize everything and justify almost anything. This is why we need people in our life who will tell us what we need to hear and not just what we want to hear.
  2. Transparency leads to transparency, but someone has to go first… be bold, share your story and watch what happens next.
  3. Collect pictures and create photo albums, especially the ones handed down to you. They are filled with stories that should be preserved and shared.

Living with Intention

  1. The more clearly defined your core values are, the easier it is to make decisions you won’t regret.
  2. Fight the urge to keep a scorecard in your marriage with regard to household tasks. Things will rarely be equal. So, do what you can do when you have the margin and then work together to tackle the rest.
  3. No one is guaranteed tomorrow; so, never leave an ‘I love you’ left unsaid!
  4. “Divine Appointments” and “God Winks” await us each day, we must make sure we are not so busy or self-absorbed that we miss them.

Applying These Lessons to Your Life and Business

These 60 life lessons offer a wealth of wisdom for both personal growth and professional success. As a business owner or corporate executive, integrating these insights into your daily life can lead to more meaningful relationships, better decision-making, improved work-life balance, and a deeper sense of purpose.

At Tom Martin Coaching and Consulting, I can help you apply these life lessons to achieve your goals and find fulfillment. Whether you’re looking to scale your business, enhance your leadership skills, or find more balance in your life, I’m here to guide you on your journey.

Remember, success is not just about achieving goals, but about becoming the best version of yourself in the process. By embracing these lessons, you’re taking a significant step towards winning in business and thriving in life.

Ready to transform your business and life?

Contact Tom Martin today to learn more about how these timeless lessons can help you achieve the success and fulfillment you deserve.

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Phishing Scam Targeting EIDL Loan Repayment

Attention Small Business Owners: Beware of Phishing Scam Targeting EIDL Loan Repayment

Small Business Scam Alert: Tips to Avoid EIDL Loan Repayment Scams, Tom Martin Coaching: Empowering Business Owners to prosper in business and thrive in life

Small businesses are currently under threat from a phishing scam aimed at collecting banking information and payments in exchange for a fake “SBDC Economic Injury Disaster Grant.”

This fraudulent email originates from: “apply@smallbusinessdevelopmentcenter.online” falsely claiming approval for a grant, but demanding a “tax clearance fee.” 🚨

It’s crucial to note that neither your local SBDC nor the US SBDC provides SBA grants or loans. The SBDC will never solicit your banking details or ask for payment for a grant or loan… ever!!

To safeguard your business from online threats, consider these essential tips recommended by the FTC:

✅ What to DO:

  • Obtain information regarding SBA loans directly from the official SBA website: sba.gov.
  • Seek guidance from your local UGA SBDC office if you receive a suspicious email: georgiasbdc.org/locations.

❌ What NOT to Do:

  • Pay upfront for information; all SBA grant and loan program details are freely accessible at sba.gov.
  • Provide payment in advance for a government grant or loan; no upfront payment is necessary for an SBA loan.
  • Disclose your information to unsolicited callers, emails, or texts. The SBA does not initiate contact to request information about you or your business, nor does it ask you to apply for a loan via phone, email, or text. Delete any suspicious emails or texts immediately.
  • Apply for a loan without verifying the lender’s authenticity. Only SBA-authorized lenders can offer loans, and you can verify lenders using the SBA’s tool.
  • Click on links or respond to emails or texts from unknown sources. Clicking on such links may expose your device to malware or connect you with scammers.

Stay vigilant and protect your business from potential scams by adhering to these guidelines.

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Covid-19 Relief Initiatives for Georgia Business Owners

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There seems to be optimism in the air with news of the number of coronavirus cases falling and greater access to vaccines.

Unfortunately for many people this is still a difficult time, especially a high percentage of small business owners who faced a disruption of epic proportions to their businesses. 

Here are the latest Covid-19 relief initiatives available to small business owners in Roswell Georgia and the surrounding counties. 

Roswell Georgia Business Owners… 

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During the February 22nd city council meeting, the mayor and city council members approved the COVID-19 Relief Assistance Program for residents and small business owners who have experienced financial hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program will help residents in need to pay living expenses like mortgage/rent, utilities and childcare. It also supports local brick-and-mortar businesses struggling to stay afloat due to the pandemic.

The city has allocated $800,000 to this program — $400,000 is available to residents in need of assistance, and $400,000 is available to Roswell small businesses. To qualify, applicants must meet specific criteria.

These Grants Do Not Have to Be Paid Back to the City!

Residents and business owners will be able to apply during the open application periods for each program by visiting www.RoswellGov.com. 

For business owners there is a short window of time to apply. And the application period for the Small Business Relief Assistance Program will open March 8 and continue through March 22, 2021.

Metro Atlanta Counties…

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Comcast Rise is a commitment to support small businesses who have been hit the hardest by the economic impact of the pandemic. The Comcast RISE Investment Fund provides monetary grants to help Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned, small businesses grow as they navigate the challenges of the pandemic.

Open to businesses in Atlanta, GA (Cobb, Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett Counties) 100 small businesses will receive a $10,000 monetary grant. The application period is March 1-14, 2021.

More details can be found here: https://www.comcastrise.com/

Is PPP3 for Me?

In order to reach the smallest businesses, SBA will offer Paycheck Protection Program loans to businesses with fewer than 20 employees and sole proprietors only from Wednesday, February 24 through Tuesday, March 9, 2021

The latest round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding represents a marked improvement compared to the prior round.

  • The share of funding going to small businesses with fewer than ten employees is up nearly 60%
  • The share of funding going to small businesses in rural areas is up nearly 30%

Remember the deadline to apply is March 9, 2021. So, if you’re planning on moving forward here are two actions to take today!

  1. Find a lender:
  2. Identify a loan:
    • First Draw PPP Loans: If you have not received a PPP loan before, First Draw PPP Loans are available to you.
    • Second Draw PPP Loans: If you have previously received a PPP loan, certain businesses are eligible for a Second Draw PPP Loan.

Additional information, tools, and COVID-19 related resources can be found using the following links:

SBA Coronavirus Relief Options – Comprehensive list includes:

  • Payroll Protection Plan (PPP)
  • Covid-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
  • Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program (SVO GP)
  • SBA Express Bridge Loan
  • SBA Debt Relief
  • Cross Program Eligibility

Georgia Chamber of Commerce – Scroll to the bottom of the page for a list of programs and safe workplace recommendations.

SBA Coronavirus Relief Options – Comprehensive list includes:

  • Payroll Protection Plan (PPP)
  • Covid-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
  • Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program (SVO GP)
  • SBA Express Bridge Loan
  • SBA Debt Relief
  • Cross Program Eligibility

Georgia Chamber of Commerce – Scroll to the bottom for a list of programs and safe work place recommendations.

Well, that is it for now regarding the Covid-19 relief initiatives for small business owners.

Please feel free to reach out if you have questions or if I can help you or your business!

And don’t forget to continue to support your local small business community… it is making a difference!

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What Business Owners Now Know About Their PPP Loan Forgiveness

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On Friday, May 15, 2020, the SBA released new details on loan forgiveness for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan borrowers. Also included in the release was access to the application that PPP borrowers will use to apply for loan forgiveness and detailed instructions on how PPP loan borrowers should fill out the application.

This SBA application form and instructions are designed to simplify the process from borrowers and to minimize compliance burdens. However, there are gaps. And the SBA plans to issue regulations and guidance soon to provide further help to borrowers as they fill out their applications, and to give lenders guidance on their responsibilities.

Concerns…

The forgiveness application form does help address some administrative items such as providing additional clarity around “costs incurred but not paid” during the covered period, which is aligned with a recommendation by the AICPA. However, major issues remain. In particular, small businesses need flexibility on when the 8-week period should start or need to have the covered period extended to more than 8 weeks.

It’s clear the application form and instructions provided yesterday are not enough. Some of the most pressing issues are not addressed and in other areas it appears new questions have arisen.

Erik Asgeirsson, President, and CEO of CPA.com, the AICPA’s business and technology arm.

Ultimately this is an important starting point for PPP loan borrowers to know what to expect moving forward.

A Good Start…

The form and instructions include several measures to reduce compliance burdens and simplify the process for borrowers, including:

  • Options for borrowers to calculate payroll costs using an “alternative payroll covered period” that aligns with borrowers’ regular payroll cycles.
  • Flexibility to include eligible payroll and non-payroll expenses paid or incurred during the eight-week period after receiving their PPP loan.
  • Step-by-step instructions on how to perform the calculations required by the CARES Act to confirm eligibility for loan forgiveness.
  • Borrower-friendly implementation of statutory exemptions from loan forgiveness reduction based on rehiring by June 30.
  • Addition of a new exemption from the loan forgiveness reduction for borrowers who have made a good-faith, written offer to rehire workers that was declined.

I recommend business owners review the application and the instructions to ensure they understand the criteria for PPP loan forgiveness. Any areas of concern or questions should be addressed with their CPAs, bankers, and financial advisors prior to completing the application.

Additional information, tools, and resources can be found using the following links:

SBA Media Release

PPP Loan Forgiveness Application

PPP Loan Forgiveness Calculator

SBA Information and Resources

Additional Information and Resources

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The Latest Information and Resources Business Owners Need to Know During COVID-19

business-owners-covid19-information-resources

The business community is reeling right now thanks to COVID-19. And while initiatives are being implemented to provide some relief, small business owners are facing unprecedented challenges.  

But the rollout of so many programs on both a federal and state level is complex and complicated. And local business owners are telling me they don’t know where to turn for up-to-date information and resources they can act on right now.

In an effort to help, I have created a COVID-19 quick reference guide for business owners. Download this interactive list of information and resources business owners can use to successfully operate their business during the coronavirus crises.

Note! Information will be updated as actionable information becomes available, so check back often.

***5:00 PM April 1, 2020*** Georgia Govenor Brian Kemp just issued statewide Shelter-in-Place order that will go into effect on April 3rd.

***Update on Friday, April 3rd*** The Georgia statewide shelter-in-place, which goes into effect today, April 3rd at 6 pm through 11:59 pm on Monday, April 13, 2020. The order mandates that residents stay home except to engage in essential services, perform necessary travel, or if they are part of the workforce for critical infrastructure. Read the Shelter in Place Handout from the Governor’s Office, which provides more details about the order.

Business Owners COVID-19 Assistance Overview

The CARES Act: Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security is a $2 trillion stimulus package that includes significant relief money for small businesses.

To be eligible, a small business must be substantially affected by COVID-19, experiencing a decrease in revenue, staffing challenges or supply-chain disruptions, for example. The business must also employ less than 500 employees.

The CARES Act provisions include:

  • Emergency grants of $10 billion that will provide up to $10,000 per small business to cover immediate operating costs.
  • Forgivable loans of $350 billion that will be allocated to the Small Business Administration to provide loans of up to $10million per business for ongoing payroll and operations costs.
  • Existing loan relief of $17 billion to cover six months of payments on existing SBA loans for small businesses that already have them.
  • Expanded unemployment insurance for workers who can’t be rehired or find other work. It also extends jobless benefits to previously ineligible groups of workers, like gig workers and freelancers.

What do business owners need to know about qualifying?

Businesses must maintain a similar number of employees as they did prior to the crisis in order to be eligible for full loan forgiveness. A reduction in loan forgiveness will be applied to those businesses that do not meet this requirement.

What can small business owners do right now?

  • Reach out to your bank to verify they can process SBA loans. Tell them you plan to apply for the EIDL or the PPP loan and inquiry how to get ready to apply. They should also be able to share how quickly the grant or loan will be available.
  • If you do not have a relationship with a banker, or yours will not process SBA loans, you should find one.
  • Start gathering all pertinent documents. The required documents will vary based on the lender, but it’s a good idea to begin gathering:
    • Payroll records for the calendar year 2019 plus the first quarter of 2020, including 1099 payouts to contractors vital to the operation of your business
    • Bank statements
    • Articles of incorporation
    • Lease agreement or deed for the place of business 
    • Business certificate or license
    • Individual and business tax returns and any financial documents that reflect your financial situation
  • Not all the necessary loan application paperwork has been finalized with the banks as of today, but is expected by Friday, April 3rd.

What to do if your business doesn’t qualify?

Businesses that do not meet the requirements for the CARES grant or forgivable loan relief may still apply for a loan via the SBA Express Bridge Loan Program or Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. These loans will need to be repaid but could help to fill the financial gap until the coronavirus crisis is over.

You need to stay informed, here’s how:

The Small Business Administration has put together a special coronavirus page detailing existing loan information. You will also find guidance for businesses and employers along with links to local assistance. As more information is released there will be updates to this link, including details about the stimulus loans and grants.

More Business Owners COVID-19 related posts and articles can be found here.

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Information and Resources to Help Small Business Owners Navigate COVID-19

small-business-resources-covid-19

In an effort to support business owners, here is the latest news about COVID-19 as it pertains to small business and I’ve included an updated list of resources. So, how does the US Small Business Association (SBA) define a small business…

A Small Business Is Defined As:

Depending on your industry, a small business could be defined as a business with a maximum of 250 employees or a maximum of 1,500 employees. They’re privately owned corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships that have less revenue than larger businesses.

For those of you in Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp announced yesterday that Georgia has received an official statewide disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration. This declaration will provide assistance in the form of SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to impacted small businesses in all 159 counties in Georgia.

This opens the door for small businesses and nonprofits in Georgia to now apply for economic injury disaster recovery loans.  The loan can be up to $2 million per business to assist small businesses impacted by COVID-19. 

The application is now live, and Georgia small business owners can go directly to the SBA for assistance and to access the application.

Not in Georgia… no worries, use this link for information and the application for every state that has received the disaster declaration from the SBA.

Required Documents for SBA for EIDL loans: 

  1. Profit and Loss and Cash Flow Statements for 2019 and 2020 on annual basis and year to date basis.
  2. Tax returns from the past 3 years, both personal and business 

Loans are available for small business and non-profit organizations. While terms will be established on a case-by-case basis, many will have a thirty-year repayment term with first payments not due for up to twelve months. Businesses should expect to provide a tax transcript, financial statements, and a profit and loss statement. Interest rates will range from 2.75% to 3.75%.

In addition to the above, I suggest you reach out to your lending institution to see if relief programs are being offered during this time: delaying payments; interest only payments.  

To learn more about the EIDL program:

sba-small-business-roundtable-covid19

Join Small Business Roundtable with SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and CEOs of the leading small business organizations. They will discuss the needs of small business owners during the economic fallout resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak.

Friday, March 20th, 2020 at 2:30 pm ET

Click Here to RSVP

****This Just In****

(1:15PM March 20th) At this time, due to some last minute scheduling issues, we are working to reschedule this webinar for another day and time. Our goal is to have something next week. Timing might be better as we expect to know more about the next round of legislation.

empty-office-space-working-from-home-small-business

This is something every business owner should ask their staff who are working from home, before moving into the meeting agenda of the call. Discover what it is here. 

Learn How to Manage a Manage a Work-From-Home

  • TODAY – March 20: Learn from nationally recognized experts on How to Manage a Work-From-Home Workforce Teleconference with a FREE webinar. This resource is open to any business in the region and is hosted by Council for Quality Growth in partnership with Forsyth County Chamber. Register here.
  • Next Week: Georgia Commute Options is hosting a Telework Webinar Series to share information about managing objectives and deliverables while teleworking, collaborating through technology, supporting good working habits and more.

IRS Tax Relief information

The IRS has established a special section of the agency’s website focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by this coronavirus. Their page will be updated as new information is available.  

Guidance for Businesses and Employers with Regard to COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the most up-to-date information on COVID-19. This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). For updates from CDC, please see the following:

Well that’s it for now… 

But please leave a comment with any information and resources that you’ve found useful as you’ve navigated the COVID-19. And don’t forget to support the local small businesses in your area any way you can.

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Do You Know A Georgia Small Business Rock Star?

Nominations are open for the 2019 Georgia Small Business ROCK STARS! Nominate yourself or another great Georgia small business who you think is deserving of ROCK STAR status for this year.

nominate-small-business-rockstar-tom-martin-coaching

What’s New This Year?

There are new categories so please be sure to check the one that best describes your business. They also now peer-to-peer judging which includes the current 2018 ROCK STARS who will also be judging the finalists.

Criteria:

  • All types of Georgia small businesses can apply. Nominate your own company or another great Georgia small business.
  • You must employ under 100 (total Georgia employment).
  • You must be a Georgia-based, for-profit company.
  • If you have been assisted by your local or state economic development resources (see application for details), you will receive BONUS points.

Winners are expected to: 

  • Attend the awards luncheon.
  • Take part in producing a short video about your business on location at your company.
  • Provide a high-res product or service photo(s) to be included in promotional materials, size 1200px or higher.

Awards Luncheon: 

  • March 18, 2019, in Atlanta – Location TBD

About the Program:

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) and the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) team up every year to recognize the outstanding, unique and impactful small businesses in the state of Georgia.

This unique endeavor for Georgia is a huge success only because of the small businesses that impact Georgia every day…the risks, the innovation, the outreach, the reasons why…all of these qualities abound in Georgia and we want to recognize them.

APPLY NOW

Deadline: September 15, 2018

See the complete list of all the 2018 nominees and where their business is located in Georgia. And you can view all the previous Georgia Small Business Rock Stars here. 

Does Your Business Standout and Get Noticed Online?

Today 3 out of 4 shoppers search online when they want to find a business, and 7 out of 10 made a purchase from a business they found using a search engine.

Businesses with optimized Google Business listings have a much better chance of getting a customer’s attention when they are searching online.

Google research suggests that customers are 50% more likely to consider purchasing from businesses with a complete listing. 

 

Does this sound like you…

  • Claiming your Google Business Listing has been something you’ve been meaning to do, but just haven’t gotten around to it.
  • You’ve claimed your Google Busines Listing but it’s not fully optimized with photos, business services listed, or branding messages.
  • You’re so busy, you honestly don’t have the time to do it. And the thought of giving up family time to watch a set of YouTube tutorials on how to do it properly is unappealing.
Let the team at Tom Martin Coaching & Consulting set-up and fully optimize your Google Business Listing in a week for only $247. Sign-up today and receive 90 days of business listing monitoring for FREE!
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Guest Appearance on Podcast for Business

Creating Raving Fans of Your Business

Recently I had the privilege of being a guest on the Podcast for Business show. The podcast is all about business conversations over coffee where the discussions focus on the journey of business ownership.

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Podcast for Business is hosted by Diane Campbell who owns Gratitude Goodies, a specialty gift basket company. Being a business owner herself, Diane’s understanding of business and perspective as a business owner lends itself to compelling conversations with other small business owners.

Actually, Diane’s mission at Gratitude Goodies of helping corporations express their appreciation to customers in meaning and memorable ways set the stage for our conversation about how business owners can create raving fans of their businesses. You can listen to my episode of Podcast for Business using the audio player below. 

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Why You Need to Optimize Your Google My Business Listing Today

When business owners start looking for ways to attract more customers, what is the first thing that comes to mind? The internet, right? But before they start having conversations about SEO, SMO, and social media ads, they need to make sure they have fully optimized the free online marketing platforms available, like Google My Business.

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When digital platforms like Google My Business and Nextdoor are fully optimized phones start ringing, customers start showing up, and traffic increases on websites.

Sadly though, many small business owners fall under the misconception that a website, some search engine optimization and a few social media posts are all they need for business growth to occur.

Your website doesn’t need to be found by everyone; it just needs to be seen by the people who live in your community. You get this right, and the results can be significant.

4 out of 5 people use search engines to find information about your business.

Your potential customers are searching find local business information like business hours, location, phone number, online reviews, and more. Customer surveys reveal that businesses with detailed online profiles and complete business listings are twice as likely to be considered reputable by consumers.

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Why You Need To Do a Mid-Year Business Review

It’s halftime, how did you do? The end of June represents halftime for the personal goals and business objectives you set for the year. Much like in a football game, the scoreboard only tells part of the story at the end of the second quarter. So, before you kick-off the second half of the year, the wise thing to do is a mid-year business review.

Photo Small Business Owner Mid-Year Business Review

While the band is on the field at halftime, coaches and players are examining film and adjusting X’s and O’s to come up with a winning second-half game plan. Sadly though, many small business owners and sales professionals emerge from the July 4th holiday break with the same plan that has been in place since January. 

We Know We Should

The cars we drive, the planes we fly in, and the high-tech machines we use all need to be tuned and calibrated to ensure optimal performance. Intuitively we know our lives and our businesses have similar demands, yet we fail to schedule the time for this review. It is encouraging to see more and more of my small business owner clients incorporating a mid-year business review into their management philosophy.

Common Reasons Why We Don’t

And while more of my clients are open to this, there are two common scenarios where people resist doing a mid-year business review.