The results are in. Deputy surveyed hundreds of owners and managers in the services industry with the question: “What is your #1 tip you would give a peer who is opening a new services business in their first year?”
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“Be prepared to work more than at a regular employer and keep your overhead small for as long as possible, i.e. small office, minimal employees and no unnecessary purchases.” -Jaclynn Congrove, Managing Member, AIB (a 13 year business)
“Have a business plan and consult with a financial expert to setup your accounting correctly from the beginning.” -Lee Lewis, President, Akrosteam (a 27 year business)
“Start organizing yourself in terms of scheduling and standard practices when you’re small the way you will need to when you’ve grown. Don’t wait to get organized.” -Kyna Jones, Owner, Inside/Out Home Solutions (a 6 year business)
“Forget your business plan; learn QuickBooks.” -Anissa Moussi, Head of School, Moussi Montessori (a 5 year business)
“Process, have it understood and hammered out.” -Aaron Kohn, HR/Admin/Recruiter, Child Care Staffing, Inc. (a 2 year business)
“Start small. Learning to manage staff is the hardest part.” -Marissa SherKenne, Director, Bozeman Montessori (a 4 year business)
“Start out working for others.” -Susan Hammond, Owner, Happy Pea (a 4 year business)
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“Get your timing right – don’t rush it.” -John Falcon, VP, Mariposa Montessori School (a 10 year business)
“Play close attention to the total costs. Not only payroll, but insurance, taxes, and other costs or overhead. Do not start out paying too much and grow slow.” -Anthony Hawkins, President/Owner, Professional Protection Corp (a 3 year business)
“Be financially prepared for anything or have plans in place.” -Angela Lang, Owner, The MeowManor (a 2 year business)
“Make sure you have 6 months operating capital.” -A.J. Scola, CFO, Secural Corporation (a 41 year business)
“It is never too early to plan for future automation.” -Andrew Wallace, CEO, PortoSpire (a 4 year business)
“Grow slowly, confidently, but with purpose and clarity in your mission.” -James Williams, COO, Bloom Consulting (a 5 year business)
“Be patient and ask for advice. I have several coaches and peers that I have the ability to get support, ideas and encouragement from and the biggest thing is that I listen to them even when I might not agree.” -Geneva Taylor, Managing Director, Tellis Executive Search (a 1 year business)
“Follow through on everything. Whether it’s business leads, discussions with employees, promises to customers, each person is watching and will take note the attitude and result of what you say.” -Bryan Field, Manager, Blue Moon (an 8 year business)
“Organization is the # 1 tip for the success of your business.” -Rudy Cuevas, General Manager & Owner, CFI (a 23 year business)
“Focus on reasonable and attainable growth.” -Mac Price, Operations Manager, The Waggle Company (a two year business)
“Do not work alone, get help, get advice and get some support.” -Cyril Arnaud, CEO, Ariolix (a 9 year business)
“Providing high quality customer service and also a solid program is crucial to not only getting, but also keeping clients.” -Amanda Lasslett, Office Manager, Thrive Training Center (an 11 year business)
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“Listen to what your business is telling you – don’t rush things.” -Bridget Hayes, Owner-Operator, Language Truck Educational Services (a 6 year business)
“Use all available tools.” -Tyree Warner, CEO, Steelworxs (a 2 year business)
“Advertise.” -Oanh Smiley, Owner, Smiley Photo Booths (a 5 year business)
“Be prepared to separate business and personal relationships.” -Jaret Storms, Chief of Technology, Evergreen Clean (a 1 year business)
“It’s all about marketing.” -Richard Stup, Owner, Ag Workforce Development (a 1 year business)
“Urgency is tip priority.” -Ozzy Llanes, Managing Partner, Epic Custom Design (a 2 year business)
“Take risks.” -Frederick Stern, CEO, Infinity Staffing Partners (1 year business)
About the Survey:
This survey was commissioned and administered by Deputy™ via an online survey (through survey software Typeform) to North American businesses with hourly employees. The survey was sent to businesses ranging from 3 to 1,455 employees and ran from June 22nd, 2017 to July 7th, 2017. Responses were segmented by industry.
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