How to Successfully Transition From Free Work to a Paid Position

transition to paid work

This is probably one of the toughest things I’ve faced as a freelancer. In the beginning, building up my portfolio required me to work in positions that didn’t pay much -- or anything at all.  Once I established myself, I had to face transitioning from free work to a paid position. And now that I’m responsible for paying my bills as a … [Read more...]

4 Common Issues to Face When Building Your Business

build_brand

Creating and managing your own business can be hard, and at some point we have to face these issues head on if we want our businesses to succeed. Here are some of the common hardships that are involved in owning your own business, especially within the first year of open business. Health and Safety As with all businesses these days, health and … [Read more...]

Monthly Progress Report: Finish Strong!

crossing finish

April has been a month of beginnings and endings for me, and May is gearing up to be the culmination of all the changes leading up to this point. The hardest thing about quitting one thing to move onto another is finishing strong -- or more specifically not wanting to check-out even though you really want to. Every situation in life, whether it's … [Read more...]

Can Your Freelance Business Survive an Illness?

sick freelancer

Being a freelancer has its perks. You get to set your own hours and control your income. Plus, there’s no one looking over your shoulder eight hours a day. These aspects are appealing, but when you freelance, you also miss out on certain benefits, like paid sick leave. Like every other human being, you get sick from time to time. You may be … [Read more...]

7 Vital Steps to Take Before Becoming Your Own Boss

Growing-a-Successful-Business

April 30, 2013 will be my last day at the accounting job I’ve had for over ten years. The closer quitting time gets, the more excited about the next chapter I become. That’s not to say I’m not scared of the unknown, but since I’ve taken some smart steps to prepare, I’m a lot less fearful -- and stressed out. Oddly enough that’s … [Read more...]

What to Do Before Hiring Your First Employee

hiring an employee

Hiring your first employee is an important milestone for any entrepreneur. Of course, your business may still be quite small and financially vulnerable — making the wrong hire literally has the potential to take your fledgling business under. Do you really need to hire? The first thing you need to do before choosing to hire someone, and … [Read more...]

Change Your Work Habits and Get Rid of Chronic Pain

back pain

Do you love your job, but find that sitting at a desk all day has caused more health issues than you are capable of dealing with? I know the feeling! Do you find yourself stretching or visiting a chiropractor as part of your regular routine? Maybe you're looking for a more permanent solution? There are other solutions that are easier and less … [Read more...]

4 Little Things You Can Do to Manage a Hectic Business Schedule

busy schedule

When you run your own business, there are a lot of distractions that pop up. Your schedule can get hectic and chaotic fast! In fact, the success of a small business depends on your ability to wade through the distractions and focus on more critical business tasks. In an effort to successfully manage everything, here are four little things you … [Read more...]

Why You Should Do More Than Just Save Money

open road

Today a lot people live on very strict budgets. They budget their money down to the penny, clip coupons and look for creative ways to save. What a lot of people aren’t doing though -- and perhaps it's because the job market is so terrible right now -- is looking for ways to make money. If you want to beef up your savings and live a lifestyle … [Read more...]