Starting a micro-business: mice v elephants

Sick of Christmas yet?

Bah Humbug! Ebenezer Scrouge's most infamous line! 

Even his name sounds bitter. But did you know the name Ebenezer is actually from the Bible, and means, rather  beautifully,  something like, 'this far He has carried me/ helped me'. In the old testament, the ancient Israelites would pile up stones to commemorate certain acts of grace. When they crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land, the stones they used came from the river bed that God had dried up for them whilst they crossed (see Joshua chapters 3 + 4). Imagine being a traveler and happening upon a mound of huge boulders, smoothed by the river bed. You'd be puzzling over how on earth they got there!

I'd like to take some time to pile up the rocks of testimony I have gleaned whilst walking through a year of impossibilities. I could only have gained them by taking the plunge...

* running a micro-business is not like building a normal business. You cannot plan out a kitchen table enterprise with spreadsheets, business plans and cash flow forecasts. There are too many variables. If a traditional business is an elephant-stable, powerful, functional,  with visible, powerful assets at its disposal (ivory), then a micro-business is more like a mouse. Tiny, common, with limited growth potential, barely visible, no assets, certainly no match for an elephant; but then it doesn't try to be. On the other hand its weaknesses are its strengths: too small to be trampled by those elephants, agile enough to survive on its flexibility, it doesn't need much to keep it going,  and unlike an elephant it does not leave destruction in its wake. It is a different creation for a different purpose.  
Lesson one: you can't predict but you can adapt.

*Every worthwhile enterprise this year has been the result of a combination of word of mouth,  friendship and trying new things. Often unsuccessful things.  Conclusion: friendship is vital,  you can never socialise too much,  and there are no failures,  only stepping stones.  
Action: do something, anything. Just start.

*Review, review, review. As soon as you realise it isn't working, drop it like its hot. This isn't just a simple profit/loss calculation- some projects are like living business cards (see stepping stones in point 2), so you'll need to weigh up the pros and cons. If you can't find a way to make it work, let it go.

*VISIBILITY. Mice: they all look the same and tend to blend in. You only know they are there if they a. Move or b. Squeak. This means social media,  multiple outlets/platforms for your work, plus a
U S.P. 

Know what makes you stand out.

*It takes time. And I don't mean simply input+wait=output. It takes time to teach yourself how to build a business. It takes time to work out what works, to hone your product or service. It takes as much time as it takes for you to learn to adapt.

*Everyone needs company! I tried working for myself exclusively,  and found, to my surprise, that I'm not cut out for it. Its so lonely and isolating! Accidentally landing  a part time job at an art gallery ( through friendship,  word of mouth and trying new things) was just what l needed. I realise that even if my own enterprises brought in enough for me to live on,  l'd still rather have at least one day a week working with others. How great it is to have a God who already knows what I need before I do!

* Practical realisations: my overheads are massively higher than I thought they were. Also in terms of stock,  I need at least 10 times as much as I plan to sell. 

Because  products describe and promote a business,  and 2 necklaces in a cabinet look rather lame.
Plushness and abundance are the aims.
Also, if you don't ask you will never get a yes. Pick outlets wisely, and approach them when you and your product are absolutely ready. You will need to step out. You can only test the water by getting wet. Those old testament adventurers didn't step into a dry river-God expected them to trust Him by walking straight in. I'm thankful my steps have been preserved and led with my God beside me and ahead of me.

In conclusion,  a micro-business isn't about rapid growth. If I was looking for big profits l would find a gap in the market,  raise funding,  and work off statistics as I built my business. Its more about finding a way,  or many ways,  to do what I love and to achieve a measure of self sufficiency and  satisfaction.  My friends become customers, and my customers, friends.

l may be a mouse,  but you gonna hear me roar, in the words of Katy Perry. Or at the very least,  blow my own trumpet. 

Happy new year and I hope 2014 brings with it the courage to take the first step towards your dreams. 

God bless us every one!