People often ask me about how I’ve built my business both online and in the field to the size it is. They wonder if it’s advertising? Or luck? Or if I have a “secret” to success?
And it makes me giggle because it’s none of that. Yes I advertise and yes I’ve been in the right place at the right time many times (like here), but what I think I have done all along…. the thing that has brought me more success than any other thing…. is that I have “stayed in my lane” in my business. I know what I am good at and I choose only to focus on the things that I do best.
So what does that look like in my business? Well, I don’t paint every day. I don’t even paint often. And it’s been that way for 13+ years. If I had to paint every day, I’d lose my mind. So, so much attention to detail needed and I’m a big picture girl. I am good at getting us jobs and I am good at hiring help! It gives other women job opportunities and it gives me time to do what I’m best at. Bless it. I have stayed in my lane.
I don’t do a lot of the technical things in my business like website design or make my own graphics (for my Pinterest page for instance). And my degree IS IN Computer Information Systems y’all. But it frustrates me. And I’m really no good at it. And it would take me 10 times the amount of time to do it vs. hiring a person who is GREAT at it. So, I don’t take care of the technical stuff. I stay in my lane.
I don’t take care of my paperwork. Yes, I did for many, many years. And yes I still could do it today. But wisdom is to let someone else do that while I take care of the income generating activities in my business. Those are the things that make my business GROW! When I quit trying to do everything in my business, it took off. I learned quickly from that. I’m staying in my lane.
So what DO I do?
Well, I DO take care of all my social media. That is easy for me. I don’t have to think about it or stress over it or anything else. It’s a place of ease for me. So I take care of it. And when I’m on social media, I only try to be me. I stay in my lane.
I DO take care of all my appointments. Because I love my clients. And my designers. And my builders. And I love relationships in general. I love looking at houses and brainstorming. I can’t ever imagine giving up that part of my business. I’ll keep that in my lane.
I DO all of my own samples. Because that is so fun for me. I love the creating part!
I DO take care of all of my online training classes. I DO all of my own blogging. I DO all of the things that HAVE to be me and that I rock at. The rest I leave to the other experts. I stay in my lane.
So I have stayed in my lane even when it hasn’t been popular. Even when it has looked different from how “it’s always been done”. Even when I had no idea what I was doing or how it was going to work…. I stuck to what I was good at. And it’s paid off.
So listen, let me encourage you if you are a small business owner. Especially if you are a small business owner who doesn’t feel like you fit in your industry. You don’t “have” to do things in your business just because people expect you to do it like it’s always been done. You can make a new path. You can do it different. These are the people I usually see succeeding in their small creative businesses….. the ones who have the courage to break away and blaze a new trail.
And in case you haven’t noticed, the ONLINE world has changed everything DRAMATICALLY in the last few years for the creative business owner. The ones who are “in their lane” when they are on social media are SET UP FOR SUCCESS in this new day. It’s a winning combination. Mark my words.
I have a new online course for creative business owners to help you get on track to growing your business online. Check it out here. There are many lanes out there to choose from … and this is the best roadmap to get there.
Blessings,
Jennifer