J is for

Just about everything.

When you start a business, you feel like you need to know just about everything.  Stop and think this through.  While is it advisable to have a basic knowledge (and I mean basic) in how a business should be run, it is not necessary to have skills in every area of the business.

I have a foundation degree in business but I do not know everything there is to know about running a business.  I would rather chose to concentrate on the things that I can do, and do them well, than struggle to do those things I find challenging.  tax returns scare me! Seriously, I have a mother who has burnt sets of saucepans due to forgetting about dinner whilst her brain was engaged in her tax return.  Making a mistake with my business finances also scares me, I would hate to owe any money to anyone and not realise it.  This is why I outsource my accounts and tax returns to a lovely friendly accountant known as Mrs A star! 

I also am not THE best when it comes to marketing. (This is more like therapy that me passing on my knowledge!!!)  So once again I get in help with my marketing and this is in the form of Mrs Smith.  I also like to go over my fears and concerns with Mr Welsh busy bee as he runs an empire of a business and built it from scratch and so if anyone knows whether an idea works, it is he.

You see, I don't profess to know everything, nor do I really want to know everything. I just want to do what I can do well.  So, lovely business starter uppers, don't be afraid to get help to achieve what you have in your head.

My suggestion today, is that you sit down and think of all the things you need in your business to make it work and then once you have a list put your name next to all the things you can do and then you'll be left with the areas that you need help in.  If you need help then your local business Enterprise centre would be the first place I would go. They will help you as they can and then pass you onto other specialists if you need extra support.  

To get to where I am today, I have worked with The Princes Trust, The Welsh assembly government, Venture Wales, Neath Port Talbot College, Innov8 and the University of Glamorgan women's entrepreneur hub.  All of the people behind these organisations have helped me and there are plenty out there that will help you to. 

If you need the place to start then let me know where you are and I'll find out your first port of call.  Let me know how you get on.