A microbusiness is any business with five or fewer employees. But in reality, most microbusinesses are MOM AND POP shops. You know, the ones who do everything in the business from sweeping the floors to staying up late to crunch numbers. Most of them are one-person enterprises (a microentrepreneur), flying solo and working from the kitchen table, couch, or a tiny shop on main street.

Either way, we’re small, very small, but we still make a BIG impact.

I’m a microentrepreneur – perhaps like you. I first ventured out with my own attempt at starting a business in 2006, as a single mom. I was desperate to find a way to pay my rent so I wouldn’t have to move out of my townhouse. It was scary and I had no idea how I was going to do it, but the thought of having to move out of my home with a very small child was scarier. Since then, I’ve started and operated several types of little businesses. All the while, staying home with my son – even homeschooling! – and now he is grown and I’m an empty-nester.

DON’T KNOW WHATYA DON’T KNOW?

Microbusiness owners are quite unique in the fact that we wear all the hats and rarely have the time or experience to handle every aspect of our business well. We need help but we either don’t have a team or finances to secure that assistance.

Over the years, I learned some really hard – and expensive – lessons. I’d love to say I was wildly successful, but no, I failed – terribly. But at least I failed UP. With each failure, I added to my knowledge and experience until one day I looked up and people were asking me for business advice and help. Most of those folks were just like me and had few resources and didn’t know how to start. My failures and determination gave way to becoming the help for others that I so desperately wanted for myself.

I still run my own business (three actually). One is a vintage typewriter business I do with my husband, the second is as MicroBizChick coaching and mentoring non-profits and micro businesses/entrepreneurs, and the third is still being developed as an online magazine.

If you’re in the trenches, juggling responsibilities, and don’t know what you don’t know…I feel ya. 

When I mentor others, there are no theories, stuffy suits, or presentations that fly over your head and out of your budget. All you’ll find is a fellow microentrepreneur sharing practical, leave-out-the-fluff, real walking-the-talk stuff. I tell you what I know – and what I don’t know.

I also believe it shouldn’t cost a week’s or month’s income to pay for help or services. I keep my rates low. Very low (Over a decade ago, the cheapest rate for coaching that I could find was $250/hr!).

Why?

Because I love microbusinesses and I want you to succeed! We are the heartbeat of a community.

Rooting for your success,