Dina2 mentioned struggling with various issues in her business - so did goddess.  I thought this would be a good topic...

How is your business faring?  How does the future look? Do you think your business can be sustained through a tough economy? What are you doing to strengthen your position?

Etc. etc. whatever you guys want to talk about!  

Holy God. When I try to even ATTEMPT to talk about this, my brain takes each thought and then divides it into five offshoots of that thought.

And then I don't know which one to focus on and my head starts spinning around.

It's like web surfing, and you don't know which link to click.

That's about where I am with my business AND my life!

Six years ago, I was so FOCUSED! I was learning on the fly so everything was slower, but my concentration was so keen that it didn't matter.

I think that anyone who has a small business already is in an excellent position. As everyone else is dropping out of corporate America, they're scrambling to catch up on what you already know.

Either that or they're on the unemployment line. :(

I wonder how astrology is affecting my inability to concentrate on what I'm supposed to be doing. Not just today but for the past seven months I'd say.

I think I have to come back to this. I'm wayyy too scattered right now. Sorry.

"I think that anyone who has a small business already is in an excellent position. As everyone else is dropping out of corporate America, they're scrambling to catch up on what you already know."

Great point. I will be back on this thread too, first chance.

Oh yeah, one thing before it whizzes out of my brain. 

I definitely can relate my affinity for being here on Elsaelsa.com to my business and how it's (not) going.

Being here is infinitely more appealing to me than marketing my own stuff right now, and I've been thinking about why that is.

Here it is. I'm getting really, really weary of the "surface" BS that comes with being in the marketing world online. Some woman just signed up to be my FB friend and her greeting was like "Thanks for adding me to your network... if you need help with Home Organizing, then sign up for my newsletter here!"

And while this may be a very nice woman, I derive no joy or meaning from infinite numbers of invitations such as this. It's all so damned SURFACE and flat. Ditto for the coaches. I actually have learned a lot from hanging out with the coaches... but too many of them never actually say anything of SUBSTANCE.

"Are you crippled by your own fears in life? Can't move forward?"

Uhh, how about ENGLISH, please? Say something I can actually relate to. I find that here, on this blog. Real life stories, real emotions, real thoughts from a real person. Dropping a few F-bombs and telling it like it is! Whew. It's so refreshing. This is EXACTLY what I needed.

On the other thread, Elsa was pondering if she should be more professional on this blog. Well, here I was, thinking that I should be LESS professional in MY stuff! Because really, is anybody listening to my drab marketing robot-speak? At this point I can't even stand to listen to myself.

These thoughts are going to help me take my business into a new direction. I don't know what direction that is yet, but it's time anyway, since the world turned over on its head.

How about you?

I have a small salon where all the galls rent their own space and run their own business, I too do hair and run my own clients etc.  I am very busy right now and life seems to be moving at an accelerated rate, I feel I may get whiplash,lol.  I don't do marketing or adveretising I have always had word of mouth business.  I am up front and honest and havent' raised my prices for about 10 years,lol, though I probably should I just don't feel right with it due to the economy and everyone struggling so it will the stay the same.  Maybe when I am solidly booked out for months I will,lol.

I've run a web consulting/design business for over 10 years now. Long-term clients, word of mouth; usually slow economies don't hurt me because websites are relatively inexpensive ways to reach people. This January was the first EVER that I was not swamped with work. January is traditionally my busiest time of the year. This year, instead of a rush of extra work, I lost my two biggest maintenance contracts (totaling more than rent each month).

The few bites I was getting, the folks wanted to pay maybe half of what the work was worth. I'm also having some wrist issues and physically, straight production work is becoming a problem. 

I get a little income from my low carb site, which is ad-supported. The ad revenue is half or less of what it was last year, which was about half of what it was the year before. It no longer consistently pays expenses despite respectable traffic. I'm considering a membership model where people pay to see the site without ads and have access to a private area because I need some support or it's possible I won't be able to maintain the site for the community. They tell me they value it, but somebody is going to have to help pay for it or I could have to take it down sometime within the next year because of the expense.

I've moved to hosting because it's not straight production and I have the webserver and some client base, but the industry is cutthroat and I can't afford to underbid. I did drop prices, though. And I'm working on developing niche and value-added services to attract a new, much-needed client base. 

I also started taking a business class by Mike Michowitz (The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur)  in hopes of learning what I need to in order to transition from a freelance consultant biz to an actual, company type biz.  I'm absorbing everything I can about SEO, marketing, business practices, etc. etc. etc. and hoping like holy hell my husband's iffy job situation doesn't implode before I get my footing.

So yes, this is on my mind. Are you sorry you asked yet? :lol:

I have a very small business, regular clientele. It's very physical work and is meaningful to me. I blame the slow times on myself. I have good instincts but too lazy at business, always thinking what I "should" be doing but not doing it, in terms of advertising or growing it so that it can really grow and I can survive better.

I know it can't keep going like it has been. There must be change.
I know I need to strengthen my position.

On the up side, I do get good word of mouth.

Gosh, after reading the above comments by the above business-women, I think two things: 1) that I have no clue and 2) the only reason I'm not homeless, toothless, and lost right now is God's grace, which maybe similar to an exact jupiter-venus sextile.

Btw, Are non-goats on the same farm as shiny chickens?

I took one look at my bank balance TODAY and launched a house sitting and pet sitting side project called Sitting Pretty. Cute huh? I mean most of my spare time is spent doing this for free so I may as well expand and charge. I am not going to quit my day job or anything but I have debts to pay off and all this Pluto in Cap stuff has me worried. Plus Saturn is nagging my ass off to grow up. Damn.

There isn't unemployment for the self employed. Yet Small buz are what really sustain the economy! My small business is officially down the drain pretty much 1/2 my doing or lack of, 1/2 the economy -maybe: I don't want to listen to the negative crap spewed by the media anymore, its hypnotizing and guaranteeing more of the same. I believe there are tons of opportunities just waiting to come to light for these coming times. It's a new ball game entirely - correction, all games are over, win/win is for all. I'm listening for what will fulfill me 100% and serve the community in some way. Business that *are* growing n thriving are modeling just that. I don't know what it is for me yet, but I feel like I can almost touch it. I am trusting myself and that it will become clear as I cut through my old outmoded beliefs and values etc.

I love this thread and am especially looking forward our shared responses to "What are you doing to strengthen your position?" tho in my case it's about creating a new position which I know will integrate my preexisting skills, talents and strength.

I work for a small company.  We are thriving in spite of the economy.  My boss has  Jupiter in the first and a 10th house moon and her husband has Jupiter conjunct midheaven.  They are the luckiest people I know as far as business/career goes and I've been happy to ride on their coat tails. 

In addition to being lucky, they are also savvy and provide a good service.  We are the best groom shop and kennel in town and while others are struggling, people continue coming to us.  We work with our client base to stretch time between grooms, do self dog bathing for a reduced fee and teach them how to do some things like nail trims at home.  We see a lot of clients who just can't afford to come as often or at all anymore so I know the economy here is affected.  We just aren't feeling it at our bottom line because we have increased the number of clients and replace those who have cut back or dropped away.

I'm very grateful to Saturn these days for my good job, the career I love and the authority figures (bosses) who are good at the game.

Meanwhile John works for a larger corporation (Fry's Electronics) that also seems to have a good model.  They own their buildings and own their stock.  They manage to weather the storms because they don't carry a lot of debt and seem to practice smart business methods.  John has moved into a supervisor's position and because of that our family's income has increased over the last year in spite of the hard economic times.  Thank you thank you thank you Saturn for the roof over my head and the full pantry.

one issue that's being touched on a bit is where i'm focusing a lot of my energy - looking for ways to serve and work with people who want to serve. i have totally been taking this to heart regarding those that prop others up are the ones that survive and thrive right now (and always). it's who i want to work with AND who i want to be...

Being an astrologer, I use astrology!  Current focus is on using time efficiently (Saturn in Virgo).  Where should I put my mental energy??

I also try to provide VALUE. I don't want to waste my time but I don't want to waste theirs either so I try to be very focused.

This is an editing phase and when Saturn goes into Libra, things will shift. Knowing this, makes it easier for me to focus on the current task because I know it won't go on forever.

I consider the economy as well. People are in no mood to waste money so I go out of my way to listen or read carefully (more Saturn in Virgo) so that I can be effective and give the client something real (Saturn) that is useful (Virgo).  

I feel better good about everything right now, mostly because I am so committed. I mean, I am going to give my all, I am willing to adapt and I do think that will be enough to stay afloat one way or the other.

ok, so we're building the foundations now. when saturn moves to libra, it will shift focus to building better relationships?

goddess. the foundation to me is the family - the 4th house. This is editing (Virgo) the business model (Saturn).

Fixing it so that it can last...

By the way - Togi, I would hire you...

goddess - it is the last house before we cross the horizon though. This means, get it right and then take it public...  Not the PEAK (10th house) but we are about to become more visible.

You can watch what happens here, I am a very good canary. I mean, whose bank failed 2 years before anyone else's?  

Mine. :)

Isabelle I agree with you...I don't listen to the negativity about the economy anymore. Whenever it is ballyhooed on the news I switch the channel.

Togi I meant to respond to your comment here as well.  I think petsitting is a very smart side business.  People care about their pets.  Pet care related businesses are recession resistant.  Not recession proof but pet care is as necessary to many people as child care. 

Yes, I have a couple of small side businesses, one of which is 2 antique mall booths.  Last month I had the best month ever since I started doing this 5 years ago.  Partly the increase in sales came from a large discount sale I put on as my booths were getting overcrowded. 

My initial stock came from items around my own home as I was a 'collector' for many years, then I got a second wave of stock from my in-laws estates (they were also collectors), and many items I've had to sell have been free cast-offs from family as they have moved or cleaned out. 

When I purchase for resale my thought process has always been 'intrinsic value'.  It suprises me the number of people who pass by things in thrift-stores, garage sales, etc., wherein the value is to me obviously more than the asking price.  I am a bit of a re-habber as well.  I'll glue, repair, mend, iron or I'll spray paint something in a heart-beat to keep it au'current w/what's being pushed in the decorating magazines. 

I clean my booths weekly.  I dust my items.  I move my stock around into new and different vinyettes.  I keep it 'fresh' by removing items after they have set for a while without selling by rotating them into my other booth.  After a time there at #2 without sales I pass it on to the local women's shelter who either uses it or resells it at a garage sale for operating expenses.

When searching for stock I try to keep this old adage in mind..."buy straw hats in the winter time", which means I buy stuff at low rates when it is out of season, store it and sell it at the more appropriate time of year.  I throw seasonal sales and put out seasonal merchandise well before the holidays by keeping a calendar.  I market my merchandise online at various venues when I really want it to move on.  I market my booth and the entire antique mall whenever, wherever possible, except I don't shove it on my friends and online acquaintances - Scorpios are well known for segmenting their lives I think.

As I price I keep in mind that there are lots of beginning collectors out there that may have spent the day browsing and want to go home with something for their time.  They may not have a lot of money, so I do try to price my things reasonable and always keep some lower priced items around so that they can 'win' something for their day's shopping efforts.  IOW, I have a bargain table.  Volume sales for me and value for my customers.  I have a sign up sheet in my booth so they can be notified by email when I'm having a sale and can get a couponed discount for stopping in & buying. 

There is always a GREEN TAG sale going which automatically qualifies for a 25% discount and there is a constant renewing of green tag items.  For every 15 items I price, 5 of them have a green tag.

I don't work hard at this business.  I price and clean items at my leisure, while I'm watching television or visiting w/my family.  I could hustle a lot more and make more, however, it is not my main source of income.

On the economy - I've always held out that it is a psychological game.  When people 'feel' the economy has turned around?  ...and when the media stops spewing negativity?  People / businesses will stop retracting and begin to spend, hire, order again.

Dreams, that is a very impressive. I used to sell on ebay - this was back in the DARK ages before they charged fees!! Pre-Meg days, LOL. 

(Another example of being ahead of the game)

I've been thinking about starting something on the side, so thanks everybody for sharing your experiences.

Togi I just spent 2 weeks caring for my friend's 3 animals on a daily basis...I wouldn't charge a friend but your post made me think that this is something I could do for some cash flow on the side. Thanks for the inspiration..

Elsa, I also had an ebay store for a long while until postage & ebay & paypal fees went out of sight.  I still do the occasional ebay auctions though on things that I know would sell if it could only get a wider audience.  I like the booths better though.  It gives me a place to move on things after I've tired of them (storage that pays ME) thus keeping my own habitat updated and I don't have to package/ship them and someone else is minding the store while I'm off eating bon-bons, traveling or whatever!  (can you see my tongue in my cheek from over there?)

We're pretty early adopters here ourselves.  I had one of the first personal computers in my town I think.  I was out pricing scanners when they were such new technology that they were $10,000+.  EGADS! 

Upgrading has become the new black!

Thanks E & all.......

Wow dreams that is impressive!

Talking about side business for things we do for free has me thinking hard about how I am interested in teaching others. So far i've been doing it at a club as a free thing but before the club I had a few clients but didn't take it too seriously. I'm in the process of moving home (in with the parents) where my lifestyle will change drastically, freeing me up to do some side work while freelancing. My biggest concern has been how to pay the rent and moving home takes care of that. I think I'll be hanging up more than one shingle. One as an editor and one teaching media. But charging for it this time:)

2 months have passed and I'm checking in with y'all. How is it going now?

My business has improved. Since Saturn has moved into Libra I see that relationships are everything and the agreement has to benefit both parties. I have been aligning closer with people who I feel have integrity and distancing myself from the others. Matter of fact I think I will write a blog post on this.

How is your business doing? Up? Down? Sideways? Start up?

Hi Elsa and everyone!

I recently started freelancing a few weeks ago because a former client/friend of mine referred a potential client to me. I decided that since I was unemployed and was planning to return to the industry (for financing) anyway, that I might as well take on the project. A week later, a former client calls and lets me know that he has A LOT of work for me... A LOT... as in equivalent to a full time job's worth of work. Last week, my former art director referred a friend to me. In addition, I am working on a website for my artist friend (for very little, but creatively, I see that the website will be a strong piece) and am working to pitch for a website for a non-profit.

I've decided to specialize in web design for small to mid-sized businesses and non-profits. In addition, I also offer my services to web development firms who have overflow work (such as my former client). I haven't earned anything yet, but it seems like the amount of work I'm getting is increasing. Believe me, I am scared right now because this means that my employment insurance may not be in effect (and it is a stable paycheck), but I'm living a life that I've always wanted: being my own boss.

It's quite a scary risk but if I am getting clients popping out of nowhere, I must be doing something right!  

hi everyone,

I'm sorry to read about the ones of you that are sruggeling.

My best wishes go to you all.

This is my story.

I started my own businness blessed by fortune, since I meet people hosting my clothing collection.

My beginning was exactly with the crises beginning, that makes me oblivious about what the market  would have been like before.

As a sun saturn and virgo jupiter (this is my  SR) I'm just working a lot, for less money.

But my work is growing. And I see it as an investiment.

 I offer to design the clothes on the person, and I see how people are loving it.

I relate to clients on a personal level.

And of course my prices are very competitive. 

Ram, Elsa and Lunalie - I'm so glad to hear that business is picking up!

Today is not a good day to ask me. I'm feeling kind of cynical and down about finances with my husband's recent job loss.

I will say that plastering ads over my LC site was helpful - I am now making enough to pay for the hosting and expenses of the site. Which is good, seeing as how I'm not exactly in a great position to subsidize it right now...

But for my main business, I am not objective today...

goddess I'm sending you my best wishes.

Thank you, Ram. Good wishes are always appreciatively welcomed around here. :)

all my contract tutoring work is dried up and dead.  granted, i contracted for tutoring services, so it isn't exactly my own business.  i could try to drum up some via advertising for myself, but i want to focus my time on classes, and my new student job, which should provide me some really useful experience in a direction i want to be moving, and be fun...

so it's ok for now... once i have my degree i might work myself back into contracting stuff.

and i am doing a bit on the side... reviewing grant proposals for all that money our administration is pouring into STEM(science/technology/engineering/math) education.  which is way better remuneration than tutoring... funny that.