What’s Missing from the Small Business Conversation?

Nubby Twiglet | What’s Missing from the Small Business Conversation?

This week, I’m putting the finishing touches on my Yellow Co. teaching outline for our upcoming New Mexico retreat (you’re welcome to come along — I’d love to see you there!) and want to make sure it’s as applicable as possible to those of you who freelance / run a small business or are dreaming of stepping out on your own.

There’s enough fluff out there and and part of the reason I took a few year break from teaching is that I wanted to dive head-on into my own small business and grow from some serious hands-on experience. My goal is to filter those experiences into content that really creates the shift so many of you are seeking, allowing you to grow your business and in turn, shape your life on your own terms.

At the same time, I realize that we’re often too close to our own content and in an effort to avoid overlooking obvious areas, I’d love to hear what you feel is missing from the small business / freelancer conversation.

What do you really want to know?

What do you wish was talked about more openly?

Are there any struggles you’re personally having?

There’s so much we can learn from one another and adding your voice to the mix can really make a difference. -Shauna

3 Responses to What’s Missing from the Small Business Conversation?

  1. Lix says:

    Money. I mean, far and away what I wish weren’t so hush hush is money. How much people charge, whether they started at that price point or built up to it, whether they struggle asking for so much/fear losing clients because of it, and actually sharing numbers + what those numbers get the client. Not just for me as a creator but also for potential clients, because I hate content mill culture and I think we need to stop seeing each other as competition and see secrecy as competition instead.

    Reply
    • Shauna says:

      YES TO THIS!!! There needs to be less secrecy and more transparency but I do think that it also depends on the service because sometimes throwing out the first number without knowing the full scope of the project can get you less than you’re worth. For a less customized offering, I agree with you 100%. And yes, we should talk more about the fear that comes with raising your rates and standing firm, knowing that it could lead to rejection. Thanks for sharing your insights, I’m taking notes to go deeper in this area.

      Reply
      • Ashley Shropshire says:

        I totally second this. Pricing my services has been the HARDEST thing to do in my business. I now just do customized proposals and don’t really have a set rate, yet I see so many other designers who have a solid starting rate that is pretty high. I am always fearful of quoting too high, thinking they will run to the next less expensive designer, but I don’t want to undervalue my skills.

        One thing I’ll add is that I struggle a lot with self-doubt. I don’t see a lot of business owners discussing this openly. Which I get, why would you want to talk publicly about doubting yourself and your skills? But I would love to hear how successful business owners have overcome this.

        Reply

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