Who says passions and profits don’t mix? As an entrepreneur it can be difficult to find a balance between starting a business that is profitable and making sure it aligns with your goals and dreams. There is a fine line between creating your dream business, and building one that appeals to a wide group of people. Having clear plans in place and being proactive about your business is essential to building success. You don’t necessarily have to sacrifice doing the things you love just to have a career, they go hand in hand.
Alan Siege, The host of The Pitch Show, is an example of combining his passions with his business. With his love of comedy and business, he created the ultimate show that is giving local entrepreneurs the opportunity to get their ideas off the ground.
Here are his 3 tips to get started successfully, by mixing passions for profits:
Tip #1: Have a clear strategy/mission
When you start up, resources can be hard to find, but you do have one asset and that is your passion. Your passion for what you are doing and your passion for what you want your business to become. While passion may get you noticed, it is not enough.
It’s also important to not lose focus along the way. You have to narrow down exactly what you want your business to stand for, better known as your brand. You cannot be all things to all people, and if your mission is not clear it can create problems because people will have a hard time relating. You have to know who cares about what you’ve created, and then your passion will be contagious.
Tip #2: Personalize your business
Your business is a reflection of you. Your personality is a part of your business. You always have to know who you are targeting, yet you can use your personality to distinguish yourself and similar types of businesses.
But your personality will not please everyone. Not everyone will share your personal style, or recognize the potential value of investing in your business. This is why successful businesses have to branch out and describe their value in different ways for different people. Using your passion and personality can help people feel connected to your brand, and that can truly go a long way in the business world.
At the end of the day as they say, you still have to know who would care the most about what you are selling. Finding that audience will take some time. Success is not universal so having a specific group of customers who relate to you and your business is what will keep it afloat.
Tip #3: Grow your craft
Just because you successfully started a business does not mean you’re done growing. It’s important to keep growing your skills so you can be more responsive to meeting your customers’ needs. They want to feel heard and seen, and sometimes growth means following what your customers want. Loyalty does not just happen right from the start, you have to be willing to put in the work to create a following.
Mixing your passions with your business could be a strategic way to set your dreams into reality. As long as you have clear goals and are willing to grow, your business can be as successful as you want it to be. By following these tips, you can hit the ground running and make sure your ideas are put into action. Starting your own business is never easy, and you will experience obstacles along the way, but putting in hard work will pay off.
And if you are wondering what The Pitch Show is all about, now is your chance. The next show will be on October 30th at 6:30 p.m. ET! You can sign up now to reserve your “seat” online. Tickets are available for free, but space is limited, so be sure to secure your spot!