Creative Resources
When I started our online business one of my best research groups was a group of other stay-at-home Moms. Anytime we would meet for play-dates. I would bring a couple of product ideas, or some photos of our site design and get feedback. I loved the feedback, and the other Moms enjoyed being a part of helping me build my business. This was a great resource for me. All the moms came from different backgrounds, their feedback was invaluable. Another bonus, their feedback was free.
Soon we needed some better product photos so I enlisted the help of a good friend that works from home and happens to love photography. I offered to pay her a flat rate to play around with some products and take photos. She was excited for the challenge and went to work. She did an amazing job. She offered to do it for free, but I insisted on paying her. But the truth is I would have had to pay triple for a “professional”, and she did an absolutely amazing job.
Another great resource for me has been the power of trade. For most stay at home parents finding child care is not only expensive it’s just hard to find. By participating in a kind of babysitting trade with other parents I found that I was able to get a few hours to myself to really focus on getting my work done. The other parent was able to do the same when it was my turn to babysit. I don’t use this as often now that my kids are older. But this was invaluable in the early years. It was also free.
My kids have also been a valuable resource. Kids are honest and they tell you exactly what they think. When it comes to product testing this is wonderful! They have given me input on everything from web design colors, product ideas and of course they love it when they get to be the official candy testers! My daughter has used many of our samples for her ‘tea parties’, and believe it or not she has even designed some of her own products. She and I are in the process of developing her ideas, which is a fun project for the two of us.
One more resource that I can’t leave out is retirees. I say this because my business partner is retired, or she thought she was! A great resource for business advice is from those that have been there. If you know someone that ran their own business for years and is now retired, offer to buy them a cup of coffee and ask their advice. Many things may have changed in business, but the basic roots are still there and who better to give you advice then someone that has been in the trenches. An added bonus is many will be happy to give you this advice for free.
We all know that when starting out money is tight. Be creative and look around you. For me, our business wouldn’t be where it is today without tapping into the resources of the people around me.
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