I also spent a lot of time creating processes to make my business run like a well-oiled machine. I have processes for making sales calls, following up, writing proposals and evaluating results of work I do.

In addition, two wonderful students contacted me this year, both of whom wanted to work with me as interns to learn my business and to help them with their careers. Having two interns adds supervisory and coaching time, but their ideas and enthusiasm has paid off. In fact, my business tag line, Know-how. Right now, came out of a meeting in which three of us reviewed my marketing plan.

At a networking meeting, a colleague suggested that I consider joining Women’s Business Development Center. After looking into it, I had my business certified as a women’s business enterprise. In addition to meeting other women business owners, I gained access to a member directory of businesses that are interested in doing business with women business owners.

For me, biggest risk of starting my own business was financial. I went from a steady paycheck to a roller coaster ride of payments. Before starting my business, I sat down with my family and asked for their support to ride out slow months. My husband and youngest child were supportive; my teenager who loves new clothes and CDs, etc, needed convincing. But since my teenager is just a few years away from college and making her own career decisions, I see my move as a way to show her how to live your dreams.

The rewards are significant. I am passionate about what I do. For all every business decision, I get to decide. My newfound freedom has unleashed my creative talents. And there is new meaning in what I do. My advice after my first year: If you are passionate about a business idea, knuckle down and go for it!

Judith Lindenberger, Principal, The Lindenberger Group, can be reached at 609.730.1049 or info@lindenbergergroup.com. Learn more about how The Lindenberger Group can help you or your business at www.lindenbergergroup.com

Focus on key goals to achieve business objectives Increase productivity while decreasing work time Widen profit margins Realize their dreams through accountability

What They Are

Affinity groups come in many shapes and sizes. Some are geographically based, by locale or region of country. Others are specific to age or revenue. Still others are linked to a particular frame of reference, such as software industry. More examples can include a group of interior designers, all who have different specialities, such as furniture design, kitchen and bathroom design or draperies who share client lists, or a group of personal chefs who join together to increase their ability to bid jobs, or a block of stores that agree on hours of operation and seasonal advertising specials. They often operate like strategic alliances; non-competitive businesses that refer clients and prospects.

One of incredible things about being alive is having opportunity to learn and grow with each passing day. The great desire to gain new knowledge and insights into people and things around us provides an energy that helps overcome many challenges we confront on life’s journey. We are constantly amazed by things we didn’t know, by inaccuracy of our perceptions, by actions of those we thought we knew better and by support we receive from unimaginable places.

Keep moving forward even when times are difficult. Try new ways of approaching same challenges. Take time to read and listen to experience and journey of others. There is a lot to learn on road to building a successful business, or a fulfilling life for that matter.

We are starting to see signs of an improving marketplace; start to invest in yourself and your business. It will give you greatest chance of achieving success you deserve and have worked so hard for.

So next time you are up at 2 a.m., act on following: find, join, and participate in affinity groups.

Bio Box: Mike Menaker is a certified business coach with Action International- New Jersey. He draws upon more than 25 years of business experience to help small and medium-sized companies to become more successful. He can be reached at 973-267-7395 or visit www.actioncoaching.com/michaelmenaker.ai

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