By James Pruitt, Senior Staff Writer

Giving and receiving criticism is inevitable in the workplace. Remember that feedback is not an attack on your identity. When people criticize your work, they are not attacking you personally. For small businesspeople, feedback may come from employees, partners, clients, or any of the inhabitants of your business environment. 

Part of your business strategy should involve designing pathways for criticism that lead to a productive resolution, and don’t threaten the health of your workplace. For example, a starting point might be ongoing, routine one-on-one sessions. This strategy could nip developing problems in the bud

Inevitably, problems will move past this stage. In response, managers can strive to integrate healthy strategies into the company culture to ensure all parties have a realistic understanding of their performance and the requirements of their role. Prioritizing these behaviors may nurture the type of healthy environment that the productivity of the institution depends on.

1) The First Step When a Problem Arises May Involve an Apology. Handle Apologies Well

In cases where an apology is necessary, both employers and employees should handle the situation in a way that conveys an understanding of the issues. Apologies must be sincere. However, remember that a sincere apology may incorporate ownership of the person’s role in the situation, instead of the person taking on all the blame themselves. 

Of course, insincere apologies only throw kindling on the situation. Before considering what to say at the outset, all parties should ponder the complexity of the situation before digging in their heels and refusing to budge.

2) Maintain Professionalism

A manager should tread discretely with their criticism, even when tempers flare. Mistakes are inevitable. Additionally, from an employer’s perspective, accurate coaching means the difference between a successful business and a failure. From a worker’s perspective, keeping management happy advances their careers and keeps them out of the employment line. 

However, delivering criticism can be almost as painful as receiving it. No one likes awkwardness. Additionally, managers like to defend their hiring decisions. Hence, on both ends handling criticism can be a tightrope.

Mindfulness and introspection can ensure that all parties keep the wheels greased. For example, sometimes someone’s day has just not gone well. Some discussions can wait until cooler heads prevail. Managers can wait, and workers can often reschedule. Both handling conflict and delivering feedback require a good degree of emotional intelligence. 

3) Prepare a Course of Action

Remember that in some cases an employee has perfectly good reasons for their actions or behavior. In others, a manager may need to initiate a disciplinary process. Unfortunately, many times the course of action may result in the employee’s or colleague’s termination. However, often a new procedure or policy change can address the issue. Maybe even a change in the workplace environment can appease the unsatisfied parties. 

It is crucial to remember to contemplate healthy pathways before the environment becomes toxic. Everyone’s goal from feedback should be productive growth on all sides. Every institution needs to practice honest self-evaluation. The more Veteran Business Owners and their partners prioritize these strategies, the greater their success. 

VAMBOA, the Veterans and Military Business Owners Association hope that this article has not only been valuable but provided some unique perspective.  We work hard to bring you important, positive, helpful, and timely information and are the “go-to” online venue for Veteran and Military Business Owners.  VAMBOA is a non-profit trade association.   We do not charge members any dues or fees and members can also use our seal on their collateral and website.   If you are not yet a member, you can register here:  

https://vamboa.org/member-registration/

We also invite you to check us out on social media too.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/vamboa

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/VAMBOA

By James Pruitt, Senior Staff Writer

Small business opportunities are endless. You may have your own idea, but depending on your circumstances, there are so many potential opportunities. There is no limit to them. Some small business ideas require little overhead or almost no startup costs. Others do require a strong emotional commitment. 

Remember, many of these fields require licensure. In some cases, such as accountants or lawyers, jurisdictions mandate these licenses to practice your profession. In others, the state or jurisdiction may offer a license that could step up your game as a small businessperson. 

1. Home Organizer

Working in this field takes a special kind of expertise. Home organizing is an art form. As with many artists, home organizers should create a portfolio to demonstrate their skills. There are even companies that specialize in training home organizers as independent contractors. At the same time, sprucing up a messy house is in a field all its own. Professional organizers need to know what they’re doing before asking someone else to pay for their services.

2. Landscaper

Again, landscaping is an art. A portfolio might get you far. It helps to have experience or a special interest in the field. A green thumb can net you income on many fronts. A landscaping business may keep you busy with both residences and businesses. Also, growing your own plants can supply you with the stock for your own produce market! A talent for plants and landscaping can launch you on any of a series of trajectories as a small businessperson.  With current water shortages, there are opportunities for creative, cost-effective low-water landscaping.

3. Moving Service

Management skills and a good means of transportation can suffice for a decent small-scale moving company. A local operator can employ two or three individuals part-time and serve their clients well.   Perhaps contact a few furniture or appliance outlets to offer your services to their clients.

4. Music Teacher

Who said you can’t make a living off your musical talents? If you can play an instrument well, you can make over $50 an hour sharing your talents. To get started, you can connect with local music schools to find leads and get started. Again, music is a risky business to get into. For any artist, your heart needs to be in it.

5. Notary Public

A notary public verifies the legality of certain documents and bears witness to their signing. Once a notary has met certain licensing requirements, they can work from their own home or affiliate with a small business.  There is a big demand for mobile notaries too.

6. Opening a Repair Shop

Whether computers, cars, bicycles, or electronics, the market for repairers is inexhaustible. Depending on your talents and interests, any of a range of endeavors can make a successful living for a talented repairperson.

7. Photographer

Weddings, headshots, family photos, and event photography can provide a skillful photographer with a steady income. However, the field is competitive, so a background in the field may help you stand out from the crowd.

8. Ride-Share Driver

Uber and Lyft have both provided opportunities for independent contractors. However, the status of these contractors is still up in the air. Cleaning up your car and creating a Lyft or Uber account may very well suit you well. However, a little creativity can get you further.

9. Personal Trainer

Fitness enthusiasts can have fun and make money at the same time by helping others on their fitness journey. Personal trainers can help their clients to avoid injury as well as get the right results in a reasonable time frame. Just consider any licensure requirements, depending on the jurisdiction. Certification in this field may increase your employment prospects.

Conclusion

Once you’ve made the decision to go out on your own, look to your own interests and talents. People who start small businesses may do so for many reasons. Small business opportunities may come naturally to you, or you may look to any of several ideas that might help you hang out a shingle. 

In some cases, you may not be able to imagine doing anything else. In others, you may have obligations that restrict your ability to commit to a career where you don’t have flexibility.  You may have your own idea for a small business. In other cases, you may need to start a small business because of your personal circumstances. In any case, the above leads can place you on a path and allow you to take your first steps toward an independent work life.

VAMBOA, the Veterans and Military Business Owners Association hope that this first article of this two-part series has not only been valuable but provided some unique perspective.  We work hard to bring you important, positive, helpful, and timely information and are the “go-to” online venue for Veteran and Military Business Owners.  VAMBOA is a non-profit trade association.   We do not charge members any dues or fees and members can also use our seal on their collateral and website.   If you are not yet a member, you can register here:  

https://vamboa.org/member-registration/

We also invite you to check us out on social media too.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/vamboa

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/VAMBOA

By James Pruitt, Senior Staff Writer

While every new enterprise is the brainchild of its founder, certain industries are especially amenable to smaller businesses. Many of us find ourselves stranded and find the best option to be our own boss and entrepreneur. Many of us have our own unique talents and skills that might allow us to hang out a shingle and open our own shop.

Some fields stand out as especially good fits for small Veteran Owned Businesses. For example, professional services such as accounting, medicine, and law allow a licensed individual to work with a high degree of independence. It is possible to earn revenues in the six digits and side income. Other suitable fields for an independent worker might include some of the following listed below.

Others may require just a special talent or set of experiences. Opportunities for small businesses are unlimited. However, these ideas especially may suit a variety of people, from college or even high school professionals to late-stage professionals.

1. Animal Caregiver

This kind of gig may not pay well but obviously may suit many people looking for a side gig. Dogs need walking, cats need their litter changed. Dog-walking and pet-sitting businesses can provide a fun supplement to the income of anyone with the time, training, and experience. Additionally, there are opportunities to pet sit when owners have to travel which can be lucrative.  Animal lovers may jump on this in-demand opportunity for a low-stress way to make money.

2. Cleaning service

A cleaning service can focus on houses, businesses, or vehicles. This type of business could well suit an entrepreneur with especially good management skills or interpersonal connections.

3. Consultant

This option might suit a mid-career professional who chooses to go their own route. Consultants should have their own career paths mapped out so they can advise their colleagues in the same direction.   They can reach the point where they are able to choose and be selective about the consulting projects they take on.

4. Craft making

Jewelry making especially could be a good side business for creative types. Other hobbies like pottery and knitting can translate into an effective side business. Many craft makers can earn good money through E-bay or Amazon simply through their own hobbies. 

5. Editing and writing services

This job might be a good fit if you’re the quiet type. The world needs an endless supply of proofreaders, copy editors, copywriters, and content creators. Often, several of these job descriptions can be combined into the same practice.

6. Event planner

Whether at children’s parties, weddings, or business conventions, an independent worker with a flair for the festive can turn their magnetism into an enterprise all their own.

7. Home daycare

A private childcare business will need special licensure and must submit to routine visits. Given these caveats, a well-modified space in a private home can often provide a good space for a preschool/daycare center. Home daycares do require ongoing contact with licensing authorities, even when run from your own household.  There is a real shortage of good childcare options for parents so your services may be in high demand.

8. Farm stand, landscaper, or local nursery

Anyone with a green thumb can sell their produce on the open market. You could even start with a roadside stand. In some cases, that stand may even grow into a little shop. In others, you may have a unique gardening “recipe” that could produce a vegetable or ornamental plant that could fill its own niche.

9. Food truck

You may have a perfect, unique recipe to feed members of your local business or community. Food trucks may be a challenge to maintain, but with the right niche can be a lucrative enterprise. Entrepreneurs should try to locate an underserved office park with hungry workers to market their creations. Sometimes, good cooks with especially unique ideas could even become famous. Use caution, however. Startup costs for food trucks may surprise you.

10. Beauty Industry

 Working in the beauty industry may require special training or experience.  The beauty field may be one field where licensure or certification may benefit you, even when not required.  You can work the days and hours you wish.              

Conclusion:

The next installment of this two-part series runs through the second part of the alphabet. Again, opportunities for small businesses are endless. For some, a small business could make a lifelong dream come true. For others, the right leads can help even those who even just need a side gig to keep the cash flow alive. 

VAMBOA, the Veterans and Military Business Owners Association hope that this first article of this two-part series has not only been valuable but provided some unique perspective.  We work hard to bring you important, positive, helpful, and timely information and are the “go to” online venue for Veteran and Military Business Owners.  VAMBOA is a non-profit trade association.   We do not charge members any dues or fees and members can also use our seal on their collateral and website.   If you are not yet a member, you can register here:  

https://vamboa.org/member-registration/

We also invite you to check us out on social media too.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/vamboa

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/VAMBOA

By James Pruitt, Senior Staff Writer

The spark behind most small businesses transcends the profit motive. However, none of us can expect to make money while ignoring our clients. We all need to eat. At the same time, we also need fulfillment in our mission in life.

Let’s look at Elon Musk. He started his projects with the best intentions, then consistently found himself burned. Now, his projects have certainly amounted to a net positive for the good they’ve done in the world. At the same time, I think we could debate whether he’d do everything the same if given the chance for a do-over.

Few people go into a business enterprise with purely selfish motives. However, we rarely find companies with totally altruistic motives. We call those companies “nonprofits.”

A smaller company with a mission should find a community willing to share in its bounty. Perhaps this community may consist of “vegans.” Maybe “conservationists,” or maybe even “school board activists.” However, smaller companies should realistically balance their goals with their needs.

As one way to start, Veteran Small Business Owners should consider the causes they most care about. As a next step, consider your community, and what you may offer that community. Maybe you have gardening expertise. Maybe you can repair cars. You may have learned any number of trades during your time in the military. Never underestimate the power of your connections. Also never underestimate the power of your own convictions.

Involvement in the community can do wonders in expanding your business in the right direction. For example, the Danish firm Lego has teamed up with nonprofits to support Syrian and Burmese refugees. We all remember Legos not only from our own childhoods but also as we pick their detritus off the heels of our feet any time we walk around a child-centered household. Whoever came up with the idea for that toy was going somewhere.

Obviously, most of us are not Lego. However, smaller companies may use any of their own resources similarly. As the main point, smaller businesses, even home businesses, should use their offerings to reach out to their community. Brand loyalty itself can multiply your customer base. Maybe you have your own “Lego” idea that can engage your local community. 

Anything from your craftsmanship, your property, your trade skills, or even your good intentions may provide the seeds for a lucrative enterprise. One key word is “engagement.” Remember, your “goodwill” is marketable. Never underestimate the value of community connections. Also, never underestimate the value of time spent building these connections. Your own convictions and passions can launch your enterprise as much as any angel investor.

Smaller businesses often have products or services that may fit just right into the local economy. Rarely do small business owners reach the level of prominence of Elon Musk. However, good intentions do have value. In some cases, those good intentions may even propel a new business into prominence. New business owners should consider the resources they have and make the best use of anything they have to offer. 

VAMBOA, the Veterans and Military Business Owners Association hope that this article has not only been valuable but provided some unique perspective.  We work hard to bring you important, positive, helpful, and timely information and are the “go-to” online venue for Veteran and Military Business Owners.  VAMBOA is a non-profit trade association.   We do not charge members any dues or fees and members can also use our seal on their collateral and website.   If you are not yet a member, you can register here:  

https://vamboa.org/member-registration/

We also invite you to check us out on social media too.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/vamboa

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/VAMBOA

Do not forget that VAMBOA members receive significant discounts on technology needs.   Check them out here: https://vamboa.org/dell-technologies/

By James Pruitt, Senior Staff Writer

Businesses need to engage with customers in order to succeed. A good relationship requires demonstrated concern for the client’s well-being and satisfaction. 

1. Communicate with the customer in a manner they feel comfortable with.

Businesses should adapt to the communication preferences of their clientele. Many people find email time-saving because they can respond at their leisure. Others prefer texts because of the instant notification. Others prefer the familiarity of a phone call. Some who speak English as a second language feel more comfortable with a written message.

Additionally, not everyone uses Twitter, Ticktock, or Facebook, but assuming your clients do, why shouldn’t you? Proprietors and clients should sync with their clientele in the digital world as well as the real world.

2. When professional and practical, extend the relationship outside the business realm.

We’re talking about building friendships, or at least familiar customer relationships. Of course, we are excluding businesses that maintain professional boundaries, such as doctors and lawyers. However, owners of small shops, restaurants, and manufacturers have every reason to incorporate their personal relationships into their businesses. These kinds of relationships can help form a community of collegial, like-minded people who love your product or service. 

Here’s one funny strategy: Many companies recognize micro-holidays such as National Red-Apple Day, National Peanut Day, and World-Wide Volkswagen Beetle Day. Extra points if the holiday is relevant to your business!

Also, many companies make a small celebration out of the birthdays of customers and employees. A small card can go a long way in reminding your client of the importance of your practice. Even an internet celebration can soften hearts and create a familiar mood.

3. Product education can build a relationship

Especially with technical products, effective customer support can build rapport with the company. Different techy products may require different measures, depending on the industry. One example may be sponsorship of training classes for your product, if practical. As another option, a launching event for a new product may provide another option to build a community of loyal customers. Make it a party!

4. Find small ways to go above expectations

As we’ve said before on this blog, if you have extra inventory that you absolutely can’t get rid of, give it away for free. You may or may not want to give a birthday scene for the birthday boy or girl at a restaurant. But a more discrete strategy to make a connection may be a small birthday deal or gift. Polite, discrete ways to make customers feel special never hurt anyone and will increase your popularity with your customers.

Overall, whenever possible, always try to go above expectations when the opportunity arises. Maybe during a slow time, going the extra mile with a service or product just may keep the customer coming back. These measures are important not only to increase revenue but even to provide further online reviews.

5. Conclusion

Never forget the importance of a community of loyal customers to boost your brand. Only customer satisfaction can build your business to capacity. Even with the best conceivable product or service, only good marketing can build success for a veteran entrepreneur. Remember these maxims from this blog and those to follow.

VAMBOA, the Veterans and Military Business Owners Association hope that this article has not only been valuable but provided some unique perspective.  We work hard to bring you important, positive, helpful, and timely information and are the “go-to” online venue for Veteran and Military Business Owners.  VAMBOA is a non-profit trade association.   We do not charge members any dues or fees and members can also use our seal on their collateral and website.   If you are not yet a member, you can register here:  https://vamboa.org/member-registration/

We also invite you to check us out on social media too.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/vamboa

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/VAMBOA

Do not forget that VAMBOA members receive significant discounts on technology needs.   Check them out here: https://vamboa.org/dell-technologies/