Small Biz Life

As a business owner, no one knows your business better than you do. That's why you need to know the basics of income taxes.  I know. I know. It's annoying. It's complicated.  It's worse than a root canal. So is paying too much in taxes because you don't know the rules. Yeah, that hurts, too.  For complete show notes check out the podcast on SmallBizLife.com NOTE: This post contains affiliate links Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-122-2018-small-biz-tax-questions-asked-and-answered   ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) Focus Planner updated for 2018 https://www.smallbizlife.com/Focus Join Small Biz HQ https://www.smallbizlife.com/HQ Tax Webinar for Small Biz Owners https://www.smallbizlife.com/HQ   ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Rate and Review us in iTunes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/small-biz-life/id1039595496 Small Biz HQ   ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Like o

Are you stuck in a funk growing your small biz?  Have you been putting off improving your health? Have your relationships suffered? Have you not been sleeping? It is the time that we all start living the small biz life and stop being lived by it. #NoExcuses  You are not alone Kristin and I have spent much of 2017 with you. We have had many excuses. Some real, but most where just extensions of our fear. Leading us to waste a lot of time, that is so precious. Join us in this podcast episode as we look at some of our biggest excuses, and some of the excuses we hear all the time. And how we can start working past them to live a year with no more excuses. For complete show notes check out the podcast on SmallBizLife.com NOTE: This post contains affiliate links Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-121-no-more-excuses   ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) Join the free Small Biz Life community on faceb

Kristin and Jeff extend this hand of invitation for you to start planning for success in your business. However, before you join Planning Club, you need to accept the 4 rules of Planning Club. Rule 1 - Do not talk about planning club Rule 2 - Understand the problems with goals and planning Rule 3 - Plan smarter, not smart Rule 4 - Create good foundations for your plans For complete show notes check out the podcast on SmallBizLife.com Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-120-how-to-create-plans-that-work-for-you-and-your-business   ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) Episode 15 - Creating goals that are SMART https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-15-creating-goals-that-are-smart Episode 98 - What to do when your plan fails https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-98-what-to-do-when-your-plan-fails   ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Rate and Review us in iTunes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https:

The key to sales is effectively communicating your message. In this episode, Kristin and Jeff discuss tips for improving your communication online and in-person. For complete show notes check out the podcast on SmallBizLife.com NOTE: This post contains affiliate links Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-119-how-to-improve-your-customer-communication   ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) Episode 4 - Who is your ideal customer? http://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-4-who-is-your-ideal-customer Episode 113 - Why you need an avatar https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-113-why-you-need-an-avatar Episode 12 - Are you speaking your customer's language? http://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-12-are-you-speaking-your-customer-s-language Episode 97 - How to deal with unhappy customers https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-97-how-to-deal-with-unhappy-customers SEO Yoast WordPress plugin htt

Kristin and I are always looking for ways to grow our online business. So we have started researching creating an online conference or summit.  They offer much of the benefits of a real-life conference with networking and sales. However, the can be put together at a fraction of the cost. For complete show notes check out the podcast on SmallBizLife.com NOTE: This post contains affiliate links Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-118-the-basics-of-online-summits   ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) How to Earn Six Figures from a Virtual Summit https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/250580#   ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Rate and Review us in iTunes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/small-biz-life/id1039595496 Small Biz HQ   ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Like our Facebook Page ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.facebook.com/smallbizlifepodcast/   (((((((((((((((((((((((

Join Kristin and I as we go deeper into the future trend of small biz retail. The destination location. Why are destination locations become so appealing? Are you a destination or location? Destinations rely on people to make a conscious decision to stop at your business Locations rely on high traffic areas to bring in customers Creates a larger potential audience Become a place people must see if near your area Not just for craft stores For complete show notes check out the podcast on SmallBizLife.com NOTE: This post contains affiliate links Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-117-creating-a-destination-location   ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) http://www.jordans.com/ http://www.ikea.com/us/ https://www.yarn.com/ https://www.kingarthurflour.com/ https://www.lovelesscafe.com/   ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Rate and Review us in iTunes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://itunes.apple.co

Especially if you run a small business.  In the United States, it seems the craziness from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day can destroy us.  However, we do not have the Rocket War Day every Easter Day like in Chios island in Greece. It takes surviving the holidays to a whole new level. Survival is key if you want to thrive a holiday season like we talked about in Episode 67 - Thriving through peak season. However, not everyone is busy during the holidays. If we are slow sometimes survival is more difficult so this year Kristin and I decided to look at both.  For complete show notes check out the podcast on SmallBizLife.com NOTE: This post contains affiliate links Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-116-surviving-the-holidays   ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) Episode 67 - Thriving through peak season https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-67-thriving-through-peak-season Episode 82 – Br

Facebook keeps changing how it shares information with its users. Many times they make these very attractive for business owners and then when more people use it throttle it back page grew and then groups. However, Facebook reduced the usefulness without paying for Ads. Do not get upset, change your focus to Facebook Events. Join Kristin and Jeff as the look at how you use facebook events to grow your business. For complete show notes check out the podcast on SmallBizLife.com NOTE: This post contains affiliate links Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-115-using-facebook-events-to-grow-your-business ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-115-using-facebook-events-to-grow-your-business ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Rate and Review us in iTunes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/small-biz-life/id1039595496 Small Biz HQ (((((((((((((

Why is it when Kristin and I talk to business owners about problems with marketing and sales they always seem adverse to the idea of building an audience in any fashion. Many will spend time developing content for platforms and leave the content hidden among the billions of sites on the internet and billions and billions of post in social media. Many owners will: Create content Look at engagement Look at page views Look at followers give up if creating the material does not generate an audience Building an audience takes effort It is marketing. It takes energy, strategy, and persistence. There is NO easy button. However, why spend the time creating valuable content without spending the time to turn that content into a marketing guru for your company. You can build a machine that will generate you a predictable number of leads a month, which will lead to anticipated sales. We should all be looking for more predictable sales. So join Kristin and I as we talk some strategy about building an audience. For comp

Small business owners can be funny. We spend so much time trying to find better ways to run our businesses, we overload ourselves and get overwhelmed and avoid getting the basic work done that our business needs. We need to a few strategies when starting that we have to get done and in this episode, we are going to explain one, avatar. Yes, we have talked avatars before Back in Episode 4 - Who is your ideal customer? and we also talked about your avatar in the sales process in Episode 79 - The 4x4x3 Insight Guide for Sales. If you do not believe us, Russel Brunson covered the subjects in Dot Com Secrets and more in his follow up book Expert Secrets. The truth is Avatars, Ideal customers, or Perfect customers are not a secret So Kristin and I decided to do an entire episode talking about why having an avatar is important. NOTE: This post contains affiliate links Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes )))))))))))))))))))))))))   ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) Ep

The human brain is funny. It will do many things to protect us. The worse thing it does is lie to us on our behalf. And to be honest Kristin and I see this a lot when business owners share content or try and sell online.  We tell ourselves we are launching; however, we are really just checking off a to-do list item.  Sharing on Facebook and saying we are done is a failed launch! Even if we get a few people into our sales process and make a few sales and most people will not do even that. They will complain that they tried to do it and the people just did not want it. The Truth is we just lied to ourselves, we spent so much time creating something of beauty for the world, we spent no time trying on the marketing and sales process. We wished for success and did set ourselves up for failure. Start planning for your success Join Kristin and I as we talk about some actionable steps you can take now to improve your next launch. and talk about some of the tools we use to try and improve our odds of success. Stop let

I have been working on web applications for over a decade. It is an ever-changing environment that can be confusing for a person that has created apps and websites for a living. So, I am not surprised for a second that many entrepreneurs are confused by the technical side of their website.   Most website owners fail to understand that there is that SEO optimization is about much more than Keyword strategies.  Search engines like google want their users to not only find the best articles on a search. They want them to have a great experience on the site they are going to. Mobile friendly and website speed are essential parts of this experience. So, join Kristin and I as we talk about the complete picture of Website Optimization.  And the simple SBL WordPress Optimization Checklist to get started with the easiest problems to fix. NOTE: This post contains affiliate links Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-111-the-missing-key-to-

Kristin and I always talk to our Facebook group members. The other week the topic of Facebook ads came up. We talked about small business owners about their experience and/ or problems with Facebook ads. What are the 3 top reasons your Facebook ads do not meet your expectations? No expectations No objective for the Ad Do not understand how to target an audience   NOTE: This post contains affiliate links Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-110-top-3-reason-your-facebook-ads-do-not-meet-your-expectations   ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) Episode 4 Who is your ideal customer https://smallbizlife.mykajabi.com/blog/episode-4-who-is-your-ideal-customer Facebook Blueprints https://www.facebook.com/blueprint     ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Rate and Review us in iTunes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/small-biz-life/id1039595496 Small Biz HQ   ((((((((((((((((((((((((

Kristin and I have been working with each other in small business since 2005. We have seen lots of good and bad times since we started working together. We have learned the most important truth about working with your spouse.  A family business is no place for a weak marriage The truth is maintaining a great marriage is work. No matter how much you love each other. Between survival, family, and friends many marriages strain. In 2015 16.9 divorces happened per 1,000 married women according to researchers at Bowling Green State University.  That is over 1.1 Million woman in 2015 alone and that was a good year. You risk going from husband and wife to business partners. However, all is not lost. There have been many family businesses that have stood the test of time. They have not only survived the marriage, they have not gone out of business. And to be honest, even if your spouse is not officially part of your small business they often help out the entrepreneur of the family run their business.  The most importa

Small businesses are formed for many reasons. We started ours because we loved our hobby of teaching, inspiring, and entertaining people. There are many reasons to start a small biz. You might want to work for yourself or make some more money. However, we live in a changing world. We cannot afford to lose track of the trends in small business or we risk losing the business we love. So we need to understand, where small business if going. What is the biggest change coming to small biz? There are many changes that will continue to happen with Small Business. Record numbers will be starting up and failing every year. However, the biggest change is that the older definitions will start disappearing. Local business versus international business and online business versus offline business will merge into business. It really has been changing with the invention of the online business and people growing more connected to the internet via their mobile devices. The great thing is the growth of this technology provides

Have you ever had that day where you work for hours, and check off dozens of items off your to-do list and feel like you have achieved nothing? I have. I have had so many days I started to look at this years ago when I worked at UPS. I started to find that we have a way of creating busy work for ourselves. We create so much of it, we start to use systems to create track it. And private industry has responded with those applications. The task management apps and website.  Listen to the show on iTunes, Stitcher, YouTube, Google Play Music, iHeart Radio, or with the player below.  Task Management software can be great It can make you get more work done. I am a big believer in getting more done in less time. However, It appears the systems can become a burden. I have worked with many large businesses and government agencies that would start creating more and more applications to track the work that then left the workers in a bind. If you spend more time tracking yourself, then you have less time to complete the w

Stop floundering creating task Have you ever been told that if you work hard you will succeed? I was. I believed it. For years whenever I had an issue I just started to work more. Work more hours! Push! Push!  I kept moving. I would do great for a while and then I would burn out. Sometimes I would kill it and prosper, but to be honest most of the time I seemed to go nowhere. It was frustrating. However, I just kept doing it. I would also get very focused on the work. I was told if I just work smarter. all my problems would go away. I just needed to focus on the type of work I was doing. However, that failed to make my life better, or my business larger. I also went through a period, where I cut out all the work that I didn't like, that was the worse mistake. I lost touch with so much that was important to my business because I did not want to do work I did not like. I would store up all that crappy work until I was forced to do it. I managed to 10x the work I hated. This is a 10x you never want, please trust

Before you panic Yes, it is best to be concerned about your data. Between all of our smart devices and services that connect our data over the web. It seems like it is only a matter of time before we have our identity stolen. However, panic is never a plan. We need to understand how the latest breach effects us and what we need to do to protect ourselves better. My biggest concern with the Equifax Breach  Equifax is one of the three credit reporting agencies in the United States. This breach exposes the name, address, birthday, and Social Security number of 143 million people. 209 thousand people had their credit card information lost. And 182 thousand lost documents by Equifax according to www.equifaxsecurity2017.com. The first thing you need to do is go to www.equifaxsecurity2017.com and see if you or your children have been affected. What to do now? Chances are you or someone in your family have been exposed.  Here are the quick steps you need to do if you are part of the 143 million. Ways to protect yours

We all have so much to get done. Our small businesses can turn us into workaholics. Our family and friends are always trying to distract us. And all those hobbies take time. So can we really get it all done? Human nature says no Think of how much life has changed for humans since the dawn of recorded history. We have created air conditioning, air planes, escalators, teddy bears, the Theory of Relativity and all those major changes happened in the first 5 years of the 20th century. As a species, we are driven to make our life, and the life of our family members better.  It has taken humans from small tribes of hunter gatherers to data scientist in ~5,500 years. So stop worrying about getting it all done, until we reach a utopian state we will always come up with new tasks to do next. So stop trying to get it all done Your time is better spent trying to learn how to figure out what to do and how to do what you are doing better to get to your next goals. And understanding our nature will force us to pick new goa

As a CPA, Kristin is asked many questions about how small business owners should deal with money and tax issues for small businesses.  There is one question that she is asked to most. How should I form my company? Well, as with most questions involving the government and taxes it is never quite that simple. The common options: S Corporation (S Corp) Limited Liability Company (LLC) Sole proprietorship Partnership There are many reasons to pick any of these selections. However, the first thing you need to understand is an LLC is considered a disregarded entity for tax purposes. That means that if you have one owner, your business will be treated as a sole proprietorship by default. Have two or more owners? Your LLC will be a partnership by default. You can elect that your LLC be treated as an S Corp as well.  If you ever decide to move your sole proprietorship or partnership to an S Corp you will save yourself paperwork if you become an LLC. THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE TO REMEMBER The time you should really consi