Page 39 - Fashion issue

wished she knew before she got started, she almost always says, "I
wish I knew I didn't have to know it all."

Our businesses are fluid - they change, they grow, and it's really
important not to get hung up on small details just because we want
it to be perfect. Striving to have everything just right before we
launch our business keeps you driving in a loop instead of driving
forward. You must let go of creating something perfect and just start
creating.

2. Fear of Networking
All new startups must network – it is a fact. You cannot hit publish
on your website, sit back and watch the money flow in. I wish it
worked that way! Getting out there, talking to people and making
connections is key to getting your business started. My business
partner and I attend two to three networking events a week to pro-
mote Chic CEO and meet new people. One of our favorite network-
ing groups is 6 Degrees San Diego. They have one of the biggest
professional networking groups in San Diego and each one is held
Three Common Pitfalls in a new venue. We've also partnered with 6 Degrees to power
their women's only networking mixers called San Diego SAVVY.
Networking can be really intimidating at first but after your first few
Entrepreneurs Fall Into events, it gets much easier and you'll start to enjoy it. Networking
has become a very important part of our business and is a really
important tool for startups. Get out there and start talking!
And How To Avoid Them 3. Pricing too low
Starting out as a new business owner, we try to stay as lean as
possible. In order to get things done, we might use free interns,
By Stephanie Burns, Founder & Co-Owner of Chic CEO barter our time or use trade. These things are necessary and help
us to grow our businesses without spending money we simply don't
Getting started in business is extremely thrilling, but nonetheless have. Problems do arise, however, when you price your products or
tough. There is no true way to mentally prepare yourself for that services without factoring in this "free" labor. If you use an intern to
great idea that comes to you in the middle of the night, or the help you with your data entry, you've saved yourself that labor cost,
realization that you can make a product better. When you get the but what happens when you actually have to start paying someone
itch to branch off from to do this job? Have
your current employ- you factored that in to San Diego
ment and start your the pricing of your prod- Woman
own business, it’s a uct/service? Make sure
feeling of pure you price your prod-
elation. However, ucts/services as if you
when that moment were paying someone 39
does come (if it has that data entry wage so
not already), it can when the time comes,
be a harsh reality your margins aren't
that the “idea” is only drastically reduced.
a small part of the
equation. When you tap into your
inner entrepreneurial
Being in the pro- empress, remember
fessional world for that it is not about
almost 10 years and perfection or having
providing female a product that sells
entrepreneurs with itself; it’s about having
the resources to get the business savvy to
their business off the take your idea to the
ground has given next level and avoiding
me much insight pitfalls that can slow
into the mind of a you down.
female entrepreneur.
Sometimes those helpful reminders of what not to do are just as, if About the author: Stephanie Burns is the Founder & Co-Owner of
not more, important as the “to do.” Here are three pitfalls that I have Chic CEO . Chic CEO is a free online resource for female entre-
seen entrepreneurs commonly fall into and some tips on how to preneurs that provides the ground level information needed to get
avoid them. started with owning your own business, creating a product or start-
ing a franchise. Chic CEO also provides an offline network, San
1. Perfection Syndrome Diego SAVVY, the women’s arm of 6 Degrees, a networking orga-
As women, we like to be as prepared as possible when we make nization dedicated to increasing professionals’ network of contacts.
the entrepreneurial leap, and understandably so. However, every For more information about Chic CEO, visit www.chic-ceo.com
time we speak to a successful entrepreneur and ask her what she