A Business Owner's Inner Circle

Currently, there is a TV commercial that shows a small business owner. The commercial accurately depicts a business owner who wears many hats– Sales Person, Human Resources, IT Consultant and the list goes on. This isn’t to say that you have to go it alone. I recommend that every business owner has an Inner Circle of Experts:

• Attorney

• Banker

• CPA

• Business Coach

• Marketing Expert

Attorney There was a time that I thought of an attorney as someone I called only in an emergency – if I needed legal representation. However, running a business can put you in front of many legal issues; from filing the appropriate papers for the creation of company, to handling a Human Resource issue. So it was essential for me to shift my thinking to an attorney as being an ongoing relationship. Trusted advisors who can help navigate through the various legal issues facing business owners. 

Banker One of my favorite quotes from my banking days was, “a bank, is a bank, is a bank. It is the people make the difference.” Whether you are banking with a small hometown bank or one that has a footprint that is nationwide, the sign on the door is not as important as the people inside. Meet your banker and build a relationship.

Business Coach I had a manager who used to deliver some of the most candid, honest and sometimes hard feedback I had ever gotten. My peers and I used to joke that you would love your one-on-one with her, until you got in your car to drive away. Then, you would realized, “wow, she just beat me up!” However, it was from this candid feedback that I did the most growing. Now, on my own, there is no one-on-one with the boss. This is where a Business Coach can step in. Helping you set goals, develop plans and when necessary provide that hard feedback. 

CPA/Accountant As business owners, the buck stops with us. We are responsible for all tax issues – payroll, withholding, sales and use, income, etc. And, dependent on the size of your business, these issues may or may not end on during tax season. Having a trusted advisor allows you to feel confident that you are staying in on Uncle Sam’s good side. 

Marketing Expert/Branding Expert Like most, when I started my business, it was (and still is) just me in my home office. I knew that I wanted to give myself a professional edge. The first order of business was getting my logo designed and my business cards ordered. I probably could have done this online – there are tons of resources out there. Instead I reached out to a Marketing Expert. In this day of age, where companies use Facebook, Google Ads, news print, radio and everything in between to get their message out, it is helpful and reassuring to have a partner to help you maneuver through.