Comments on: What Was Your Defining Moment in Your Business? http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html Exploring the trends driving small business Sat, 26 May 2012 02:28:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Spencer Deal http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html#comment-621544 Spencer Deal Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:08:25 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html/#comment-621544 When Frank Tremmel. and I stepped up to receive an award at the CLCA Banquet. Best in State. Sweepstakes. It was the first State Competition we had entered. And we both were just getting started in our Careers..... When Frank Tremmel. and I stepped up to receive an award at the CLCA Banquet.
Best in State. Sweepstakes. It was the first State Competition we had entered.
And we both were just getting started in our Careers…..

]]> By: Richard Lubbers http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html#comment-618315 Richard Lubbers Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:09:44 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html/#comment-618315 And the other defining moment was hitting $100K in gross sales within 1 year of starting the new business! (like Jan V above...you go girl!) And the other defining moment was hitting $100K in gross sales within 1 year of starting the new business! (like Jan V above…you go girl!)

]]> By: Richard Lubbers http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html#comment-618314 Richard Lubbers Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:06:24 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html/#comment-618314 The slow death of my previous business, and the realization in hindsight of just how difficult, cut throat and time consuming it really was The slow death of my previous business, and the realization in hindsight of just how difficult, cut throat and time consuming it really was

]]> By: Women Unlimited http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html#comment-617332 Women Unlimited Sun, 07 Sep 2008 05:10:53 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html/#comment-617332 In my web design business, it was when I started outsourcing some of my work to other freelancers, and I realised that I didn't have to do it all myself. In my current business, it's been by the incredible support that I have received from everyone around me. I've been incredibly lucky and lots of people are offering their time to help make this site the best that it can be. We've got a long way to go, but I'm really looking forward to the journey. In my web design business, it was when I started outsourcing some of my work to other freelancers, and I realised that I didn’t have to do it all myself. In my current business, it’s been by the incredible support that I have received from everyone around me. I’ve been incredibly lucky and lots of people are offering their time to help make this site the best that it can be. We’ve got a long way to go, but I’m really looking forward to the journey.

]]> By: Jan V http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html#comment-617235 Jan V Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:27:38 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html/#comment-617235 When we broke $100K in sales, I knew we would not go out of business. When we broke $500K in sales, I knew we could get bigger and that it could be more than my husband and I When we break $1million in sales, I'll know we're a success. When we broke $100K in sales, I knew we would not go out of business.

When we broke $500K in sales, I knew we could get bigger and that it could be more than my husband and I

When we break $1million in sales, I’ll know we’re a success.

]]> By: website broker http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html#comment-616975 website broker Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:51:38 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html/#comment-616975 When I sold my business for 7 figures! That's when it really hit home!!! When I sold my business for 7 figures! That’s when it really hit home!!!

]]> By: Don http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html#comment-616822 Don Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:33:37 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html/#comment-616822 I would have to say that my defining moment was when I stopped worrying about everyone else. When I stopped comparing my products to everyone elses and just focused on enjoying my own experience and results. I realized that everyone else's success occurs differently and at different rates. Once I focused on myself and developing my products, the stress of comparing my growth to others disappeared. I would have to say that my defining moment was when I stopped worrying about everyone else. When I stopped comparing my products to everyone elses and just focused on enjoying my own experience and results. I realized that everyone else’s success occurs differently and at different rates. Once I focused on myself and developing my products, the stress of comparing my growth to others disappeared.

]]> By: Jim Horan http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html#comment-616806 Jim Horan Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:29:19 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html/#comment-616806 Two very significant defining moments: 1) THE DAY I STOPPED SELLING, 2) THE DAY I TRULY UNDERSTOOD I WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO WORK WITH EVERYBODY! Two of the biggest mistakes new entreprenuers make is their belief everyone needs what they have to sell...and if they just get their sales pitch just right, people will buy. The day I lost a major consulting engagement because I kept selling, even after I made the sale...was traumatic, embarrassing & devastating. I learned from that experience, selling is not about talking smarter and faster...selling is about listening, and asking questions that help the prospective buyer discover whether my products and services will solve their problems. The sale is made when they decide...not when I push. During the sales process, I have learned to be OPEN TO THE OUTCOME...not vested in it! From multiple experiences, I finally learned that when I get really vested in a particular sale...I almost always kill it. But when I am open to the outcome, show up to be in service of the prospective buyer, regardless of whether they buy or not, the most magical things happen. These defining moments were the point in time when I moved from a place of insecurity to quiet confidence (and gratitute) It made all of the difference in the world in how I was being perceived. In the place of quiet confidence, I was much more approachable...hence much easier to do business with. Two very significant defining moments: 1) THE DAY I STOPPED SELLING, 2) THE DAY I TRULY UNDERSTOOD I WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO WORK WITH EVERYBODY!

Two of the biggest mistakes new entreprenuers make is their belief everyone needs what they have to sell…and if they just get their sales pitch just right, people will buy.

The day I lost a major consulting engagement because I kept selling, even after I made the sale…was traumatic, embarrassing & devastating. I learned from that experience, selling is not about talking smarter and faster…selling is about listening, and asking questions that help the prospective buyer discover whether my products and services will solve their problems. The sale is made when they decide…not when I push.

During the sales process, I have learned to be OPEN TO THE OUTCOME…not vested in it! From multiple experiences, I finally learned that when I get really vested in a particular sale…I almost always kill it. But when I am open to the outcome, show up to be in service of the prospective buyer, regardless of whether they buy or not, the most magical things happen.

These defining moments were the point in time when I moved from a place of insecurity to quiet confidence (and gratitute) It made all of the difference in the world in how I was being perceived. In the place of quiet confidence, I was much more approachable…hence much easier to do business with.

]]> By: Chris http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html#comment-616789 Chris Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:59:24 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html/#comment-616789 "Courage is not the lack of fear but the ability to face it." -- Lt. John B. Putnam Jr. (1921-1944) I began blogging for fun a while back about some controversial, offbeat topics and early on wrote an article about what was then a little known topic, that suddenly became a highly searched one. My blog exploded onto the scene and money soon followed. Overcoming my fear of ridicule for my personal interests propelled me into unchartered territories which lead to new, positive experiences. My defining moment: overcoming my fears and being rewarded for doing so. “Courage is not the lack of fear but the ability to face it.” — Lt. John B. Putnam Jr. (1921-1944)

I began blogging for fun a while back about some controversial, offbeat topics and early on wrote an article about what was then a little known topic, that suddenly became a highly searched one. My blog exploded onto the scene and money soon followed. Overcoming my fear of ridicule for my personal interests propelled me into unchartered territories which lead to new, positive experiences.

My defining moment: overcoming my fears and being rewarded for doing so.

]]> By: Your Friendly Neighborhood Computer Guy http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html#comment-616786 Your Friendly Neighborhood Computer Guy Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:39:08 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2008/09/what-was-your-defining-moment-in-your-business.html/#comment-616786 Since I'm still in the planning phase of my story, I'll have to say the defining moment came when I started a blog to track the progress of my business planning and made the decision to commit to starting my own business! Since I’m still in the planning phase of my story, I’ll have to say the defining moment came when I started a blog to track the progress of my business planning and made the decision to commit to starting my own business!

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