Veterans Day is Monday, November 11th, and it is the ideal time to express thanks to those who have protected our freedoms and way of life. While you don’t have much time to pull it all together, honoring Veterans Day in a meaningful, non-commercial way can strengthen connections between your business and the community while showing genuine appreciation for veterans' service. And you don’t have to stop there. You can extend the relationship year-round. Honoring Veterans on Veteran’s Day Veterans Day is similar to Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day in the way that it serves to remind us to thank those whose efforts go unrecognized. If you remember veterans throughout the year, you may not need the reminder of Veterans Day. But for many of us, it provides time to think about and appreciate their service. Here are a few ways to honor them: 1. Host a Community Event: Organize a gathering at your business exclusively for veterans, such as a coffee hour or small reception. Offer complimentary refreshments and a quiet space for conversation. Create a welcoming environment for veterans and build a sense of community without a sales focus. 2. Share Their Stories: Dedicate a space in your store or on your social media channels to highlight veterans' stories. Encourage local veterans or their families to share their experiences, with permission, or partner with a local veterans' organization to collect inspiring stories. It’s a way to honor their service while educating and inspiring others. 3. Offer a Day of Service: Instead of focusing on promotions, close your business for a day (or a few hours) to volunteer with a local veterans' organization. Invite staff and customers to join you or make it a company-wide service day to give back to the community and show your appreciation in action. 4. Support a Veterans' Cause: Donate a portion of Veterans Day sales, or better yet, directly donate to a local or national veterans' charity without tying it to purchases. Display information about the cause in your store so customers understand why you’re supporting it. 5. Hold a Flag Ceremony or Moment of Silence: Start the day by inviting the community to join you for a flag-raising ceremony or a moment of silence. It’s a respectful way to honor veterans without any commercial agenda. Remember Veterans Day honors the living, while Memorial Day honors those who have passed. 6. Sponsor or Collaborate on a Veteran-Led Workshop or Talk: If you know veterans with skills they’d like to share (like woodworking, cooking, fitness, etc.), invite them to host a workshop at your business. It allows veterans to showcase their expertise and gives the community a chance to learn from them. Make Veterans Day Everyday There are other ways to honor and appreciate veterans year-round such as: · Hiring a vet or a military spouse · Offer flexible work arrangements and work-from-home options (so military spouses can continue to work for you even if their family is relocated) · Providing discounts for veterans and active military · Sponsor a veteran’s family · Highlighting your employees who have served · Support vets in a way that fits in with your business and mission (for instance, if you own a bookstore, carry a vet’s book) · Be open to seeing the correlations between the work they did in the military and how that might fit your employ (for instance, they may not have direct customer service experience, but they’re used to delivering difficult messages) · Partner (or work) with veteran-owned businesses · Welcome new military families into the area; after all, they’ll be veterans someday

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If you ask anyone over the age of 20 what the date is, after telling you, they will probably say you how quickly time flies. How it seems like only yesterday it was _____. This is especially true when you own a business. There never seems to be enough time in the day to do what you need to do. And you no sooner pay one bill than it’s due again. Making the most of the time you have is essential to business success. But how do you beat the clock? When you’re responsible for the entire business, how do you ensure you have the time to be your most effective? The first answer to this question is delegation, of course. You can’t do “all the things,” but assuming you have a solid team you can count on, here are four management focus and productivity tips to help regain some of that control over your lost time. 1. Define a "Win" Instead of getting lost in daily tasks, define what progress looks like for the week by listing 3-5 key goals. Create a “Weekly Win” card (on paper or electronically—wherever you will most likely use it) to keep the focus on the most meaningful accomplishments for that week. Be specific about what makes it a “win.” For instance, if your win is lining up a new vendor for your operation, don’t focus on the number of calls you’ll need to make to find one. Focus on the outcome such as “A caterer by end of week and a cost savings of 2% over the last one.” 2. Maintain Energy Awareness Burnout is often due to energy-draining activities. Track your energy level for the day (or, even better, week) and compare it to your calendar. What were you doing when you were most energized? What zapped you of energy? Take that information and do your best to eliminate energy draining tasks. Assign those tasks to someone who is energized by them. (Think introvert versus extrovert. We aren’t all drained by the same types of activities.) If you must complete those tasks yourself, either modify them to be less draining, or sandwich them in between tasks that invigorate you. 3. Use a Daily Management Sprint Allocate 30-60 minutes late in the day to tackle low-value administrative tasks or better yet find an AI that can do them for you. Administrative tasks rarely require heavy mental lifting so saving them for the end of the day is a great way to be more efficient. Save your mental capacity for heavier loads earlier in the day. 4. Invest in a Vision Spend 30 minutes daily on activities that build a better future, such as reading, learning a new skill, or working on a project. It’s easy to do this over your morning coffee or lunch. Consistent effort can lead to significant long-term progress toward attaining your professional vision. These four managerial activities can help you make better use of your time and increase your productivity. At first glance, the tasks may seem simplistic, but that’s why they work. They help us increase our presence, focus on goals, and eliminate things that are clogging up productivity and weighing down our plate.

If you want more views on your business content, you don’t have to be a celebrity (although that makes things a lot easier). All you have to do is help your audience get to know you, and by doing so, humanize your business. Some people are gifted engagers. They naturally know how to get people interested in their stuff. But for most of us, it’s a learned activity. If you’re not a born engager, here are five things you can do to improve your business content. 5 Engaging Content Tips First, you don’t have to share everything about your life, but opening up to your audience can go a long way in helping them know, like, and trust you. It may feel awkward sharing something that has nothing to do with your business, but if you’re talking about a part of you, like your dreams and your struggles, people will identify with you and that increases the draw of your content. Sharing the Challenges My neighbor has an e-commerce wellness business. She was recently hit hard by Hurricane Helene. She lost the bottom floor of her home and all her products. Instead of hiding that from her audience, she has shared it in spades. Through live videos every day since the hurricane, she has documented her struggles and her triumphs, her bad times and her blessings. Her audience has been very responsive and when she’s back up and running, I have no doubt they will support the rebuilding of her business. She showed her audience her humanity and they have laughed and cried with her. For the Love of the Team Another thing you can share are the triumphs and tribulations of your favorite team, whether that’s your favorite pro, college, or little ones’ team. Don’t be concerned that if you show a love for “State” that you’ll alienate the “University of” crowd. After all, your sports enemies may get a kick out of teasing you after a loss. Showing the Love If you feel comfortable with it—and they support you doing so—share info about your family. People love to know you have family and friends. “Family” includes your pets. If you show the love, your audience will see you in a new light and feel a greater connection with you. Once Upon a Time We all started somewhere. Sometimes beginnings are comical, and we can barely believe we’ve made it as far as we have. Other times there are serious lessons to be shared. Talk about your origin story. How did you get to where you are? Full Team Ahead In addition to sharing stories and information about yourself, get your team involved. Encourage them to tell their stories as well as share their favorites. By helping your audience get to know you, they’ll see your business as something more than just a money maker. When your business is competing on prices alone, it’s a slippery slope to the bottom cost. When they support you for a reason other than you being the cheapest in town, you’ll have more loyal customers as well. Finally, it’s best to share this engaging content in the medium that you feel the most comfortable with and the form(s) you’ll stick to. That being said, video is one of the best ways to show your humanity and help people identify with you. If you’re not currently doing video, it may be the difference between a lukewarm following and one that takes off.

The market is volatile. No, we’re not talking about stocks. The needs and desires of your audience are evolving, and your business marketing needs to follow suit. If you’re not practicing agile marketing, you’re going to fall behind. Agile marketing is one of the most crucial aspects of marketing for businesses today. It offers significant advantages in an ever-changing marketplace. And the public’s expectations surrounding it (bet you didn’t know they already expect agility in marketing) can mean a potentially costly mistake for businesses that aren’t implementing it. What Is Agile Marketing? Agile marketing is the practice that allows marketers to adapt to changing environments, whether that be social media trends, customers’ needs/desires, or responses using emerging technologies. When you are an agile marketing shop, you can make changes to your current campaigns quickly for the benefit of your customers and ideal audience. If you’re a solopreneur, you are likely already doing this. But as your company grows, and departments emerge, agility often becomes a larger task and must be purposely addressed. Let’s break that down… Key Benefits of Marketing Agility One of the main benefits of marketing agility is rapid adaptation. Companies with agile marketing capabilities swiftly respond and adapt to market trends, consumer behaviors, and emerging technologies. They are relevant and competitive in a fast-paced environment. Agile marketing facilitates quicker decision-making, allowing teams to test and iterate strategies in real-time. They’re more effective in their data-driven marketing efforts. By emphasizing flexibility and responsiveness, agile marketing enables businesses to better meet customer needs and preferences. This customer-centric approach fosters stronger connections with target audiences and drives loyalty. Companies that embrace marketing agility gain a significant edge over their competitors. With agile marketing you can: · deliver products and services faster · capitalize on new opportunities · effectively respond to customer feedback · have more fun with social media trends while gaining greater reach It may seem like a small thing but having a team that can identify trends, create quick content, and exploit the trends can astronomically increase their audience overnight. Conversely, those that must run all marketing through multiple departments before getting approval will likely miss these opportunities for greater visibility. So, how do you adopt agile marketing practices? Isn’t planning to be less of a planner an oxymoron? Implementing Agile Marketing To harness the power of agility in marketing, businesses should consider the following strategies: · Foster a Culture of Flexibility and Empowerment. Encourage a mindset of continuous learning and customer-led marketing. Empower employees to make decisions based on your mission. It’s difficult to be agile with multiple levels of signoffs required. · Leverage Data and Technology. Utilize real-time data analytics and advanced technology to enable personalized and effective marketing strategies. See the next section about Agility in Action for a real-world example of why this is important. · Work in Sprints. Implement short, focused marketing campaigns to drive rapid progress and allow for frequent reassessment of effectiveness. · Promote Cross-Functional Collaboration. Encourage communication and teamwork across different departments/areas to enhance problem-solving and innovation. Each of your teams may have a different view or knowledge of your target audience. Agility in Action Hurricane Helene impacted people in six states, nearly 200 people lost their lives (at the time of this writing), and over 150,000 households have applied for disaster assistance (this number is expected to rise rapidly over the next several days). The impact of this storm was much larger than most and if you market nationally, your marketing should’ve reflected this in some way. Agile marketers tweaked or paused their messaging. Many large marketers did not. Facebook is a prime example of this. Although, to be fair, it was an ad from a business and not Facebook directly. Facebook populated my stream with a paid post about swimming lessons when my street was underwater. While the irony (or perfect fit) made me laugh, it didn’t do the business that had paid for the ad any favors. They should’ve paused it. (Of course, the day after the flood receded my stream became home to all sorts of remediation and hardware store ads. The algorithm was working overtime that day.) Next, I saw major retailers email (and text) marketing to my area with the same marketing campaigns they had been running prior to the storm. With today’s access to data, this made them appeal callous and clueless. More is expected of businesses because of technology. Perhaps if it had just been my little town impacted, I wouldn’t have thought anything about their campaigns but since six states were involved, they looked like a prescheduled business with no one behind the wheel. When there is a major news event (flood, fire, school shooting, or other devastation), at the very least, review the content of your prescheduled social media posts. You don’t want to post about it being a lovely beach day in the middle of a devastating hurricane, for instance. Email campaigns should also be assessed. Marketing agility can help you from making a PR blunder when marketing nationally. It is a critical factor for business success. People know you have the data; they expect you to use it for good. Many businesses have spent years collecting data. They’ve used to personalize their marketing. Because of this, they’ve created an expectation around personalization. If you have embraced personalization to get your customers’ attention, you need to be prepared to use it for assistance as well. By implementing agile principles, you can enhance your business’ adaptability, improve customer engagement, and gain a competitive edge. As the business landscape continues to evolve with new tech, the ability to pivot quickly and effectively will remain a key differentiator for successful organizations and help humanize your business as well.

If you’re like many of us, you may have decided that watching the news is not in your mental health’s best interest. From angry rants to misinformation, it’s difficult to understand the benefits these days. That’s why focusing on positivity and feel-good stories can help your business stand out and create a sense of connection with your audience. But what kind of “feel good” content can you provide? Good News Topics for Small Businesses Being the bearer of good news in your community will not only make people feel good, but it will also give you a reputation as someone who cares. When it comes to helping people to know, like, and trust you, this speaks volumes. Here are a few ideas of things you can share: Acts of Kindness Share stories about employees or customers going above and beyond to help others. Highlight local initiatives where the business or community members are supporting charitable causes. In the upcoming months, especially around the holiday, you’ll see a lot of this. Customer Success Stories Feature testimonials or case studies where a customer has had a positive experience or achieved a great outcome thanks to your products/services. Highlight what they have achieved as the primary story then mention how you helped as a secondary point. Employee Milestones & Celebrations Announce work anniversaries, promotions, or personal achievements of your team members. Celebrate employees’ birthdays, new babies, or life events (before sharing make sure they are okay with this publicity). Supporting Local Causes Share updates on any partnerships or donations to local charities, schools, or community projects. Post about volunteer efforts and the positive impact they are making locally. Ask your employees what their favorite causes are and give them a shoutout on social. For instance, if you have an adopted dog and believe in the importance of adopting and helping the shelters, share that. New Products or Services Launch Introduce a new product line, service, or offering that solves a problem or adds value. Highlight how these innovations are making life easier for customers or improving the community. Sometimes the way your product or service helps isn’t directly about your product but the makers who use it. Consider how Sharpie showcases the artists that use their permanent markers. Eco-Friendly Initiatives Share the steps your business is taking to become more sustainable—reducing waste, recycling efforts, or eco-friendly products/services. Post about local environmental wins, such as clean-up events or green energy milestones. Talk about how you’re supporting local initiatives and doing your part even if it’s not mandatory for you to do so. Local Business Collaborations Collaborate with other businesses in ways that benefit the community, such as joint discounts or events. Share stories of how your business is helping lift up other local entrepreneurs whether it’s through mentoring or working with young people who want to own a business. Community Achievements Celebrate milestones in your community, such as a neighborhood clean-up, school achievements, or local sports team wins. Congratulate students on their academic achievements. Share remarkable long-standing achievements or history about the area. Make people proud of your town and your business community. Recognize individuals in the community who are making a difference. Health & Wellness Tips Share tips, advice, or workshops on staying mentally and physically healthy during challenging times. Highlight how your products or services can help. For instance, if you run a restaurant, “star” the low-cal or low-carb options to make it easier for those on restricted diets. Discuss what you do to unwind when you have a bad day. Highlight the success of customers or community members who have made strides in improving their health. Positive Industry Trends Share good news about your industry—innovations, recovery stories, or exciting new trends that signal growth and opportunities. Customer “Thank You” Posts Publicly thank customers for their loyalty, sharing heartwarming moments, photos, or stories from customer interactions. Run campaigns where customers share their own good news stories, featuring them on your page. Feel-Good Holidays or Observances Celebrate small, positive holidays like National Compliment Day, World Kindness Day, or Random Acts of Kindness Week, encouraging others to spread joy. Local “Hidden Gems” Features Highlight local attractions, businesses, or nature spots that uplift the community and showcase positive aspects of the area. Create “good news tours” of local treasures that bring people together and inspire positivity. Send a call-out to some of your favorite businesses—a rising tide lifts all boats. Small Wins & Milestones for the Business Celebrate overcoming challenges and adapting in tough times, showcasing resilience and optimism. Positive Customer Reviews & Feedback Feature a regular "Good Vibes" post series where you share uplifting feedback from happy customers, making them feel appreciated. Feel-Good Content (Quotes, Memes, Videos) Share inspirational quotes, funny memes, or heartwarming videos that brighten up people's day and spread positivity. After all, everyone forgets their woes when they see videos of dogs being reunited with their owners.stud By sharing the good things in your community, your business can foster a sense of togetherness, spread joy, help people temporarily forget their struggles, and build a strong, positive brand presence. Can’t we all use a little more of that?

If you’re like most businesspeople, finding ways to get names on your emailing list can be exhausting. We all want tons of fans and followers. There’s value behind a list of people who are interested in what you offer. Most businesses start their list with people they know. But if you want to turn your email list into marketing gold, you need to get strangers (who will become potential customers) interested in you. That’s no easy task. It’s the kind of activity that most of us avoid because the thought of it seems so overwhelming. The Basics of Building an Email List At the most basic level, your goal is to get people on your email list who want to stay in contact with you. From a business perspective, most people join an email list because they are hoping for discounts or special deals. Here's a list of conventional methods to grow your business email list: 1. Website pop-ups – they’re annoying but they work 2. Lead magnets (e-books, whitepapers, etc.) – give something to get something 3. Blog subscriptions 4. Newsletter sign-ups 5. Webinars or online events – to view the free webinar they need to join the list 6. Social media promotions/ads 7. Checkout process opt-ins – if you sell online, remind customers to sign up for discounts 8. Contact forms 9. Landing pages 10. Trade shows or in-person events 11. Referral programs 12. Free trials or samples – again, you give to get 13. Contests and giveaways 14. Email signature links – some people like you so much, they’ll click on the link 15. Partner cross-promotions – you see this in webinars often where an influencer will support a fellow influencer with a complementary offering 16. Freemium model for software/apps – offer a product for free (or discount) with sign-up 17. YouTube video descriptions – this is prime real estate; if they like your content, they might “pay” with contact info 18. QR codes on printed materials – this is an easy way to get people to your sign-up form 19. Table tents – if your business has tables with people waiting or sitting at them, creating a table tent with a QR code to your sign-up list will get subscribers These methods, offer tried and true ways to get more subscribers. But they’re also things that everyone else is doing. Unique Ways to Get More Email Subscribers If you want to stand out, try these things: 1. Interactive quizzes. Create fun quizzes that provide valuable insights, with results sent via email. These are popular with stylists, trainers, nutritionists, and other personal services professionals. 2. Virtual reality experiences. Offer a VR demo or tour of your products/services, requiring email registration. Developers and hoteliers use this for properties that have not yet been built. 3. Personalized infographics. Let visitors input data to generate custom infographics, delivered to their email. 4. Augmented reality business cards. Design AR-enabled cards that reveal additional content when scanned, prompting email sign-ups. 5. Gamified loyalty program. Develop a points-based system where customers earn rewards by providing their email and engaging with your brand. Online games use this approach by offering additional bonus “coins” or “powerups” for reviews and shares. 6. Time-sensitive digital coupons. Offer exclusive discounts that expire quickly, encouraging immediate email sign-ups. This is a very popular tactic on e-commerce sites. 7. Podcast bonus content. If you have a podcast, offer extra episodes or behind-the-scenes content to email subscribers. 8. Social media challenges. Run contests requiring email entry, with user-generated content shared on social platforms. 9. QR code treasure hunts. Create physical or digital scavenger hunts using QR codes, with prizes for email subscribers. 10. AI-powered product recommendations. Offer personalized suggestions based on user preferences, sent via email. Growing a business email list requires a multi-faceted approach of conventional and innovative ways. Traditional techniques like website pop-ups, lead magnets, and social media promotions remain effective, while unique strategies such as interactive quizzes, and gamified loyalty programs can get you noticed. Whether going the traditional route or doing something a little more innovative to get names on your email list, the key is to provide value to potential subscribers. Offer things like exclusive content, personalized experiences, or tangible rewards/discounts. Ultimately, the most successful email list growth strategies align with your brand's identity and the preferences of your target audience, turning them into long-term, loyal fans.

If you’re a business owner or feel responsible for a business (regardless of your actual job title), it’s not unusual to feel stuck. No, I’m not talking about the golden handcuff-kind-of-stuck where because of the cost of living, you can’t get off the work treadmill. I’m talking about feeling stuck from a mental perspective—completely uninspired. Like the business version of writer’s block, when you’re stuck, you’re not feeling creative, and your business is paying the price for it. Yes, the simple answer to when you feel this way is to take some time off—a vacation or, if you’re able, a sabbatical. But that’s simply not feasible for many of us. So, what do you do to bring back that loving feeling? To feel the excitement you used to feel about your business? To see things from a new perspective again? You must first recognize that there is a problem and then you need to shake things up. 6 Ways to Get Unstuck These creative approaches to getting past business boredom may not all work for you. They’re not designed to. This isn’t a step-by-step list. Consider how you might loosen a knob that’s stuck or a car that’s trapped in the mud or snow. You start off applying consistent pressure. When that doesn’t work, you shift to spurts of momentum and exaggerated force. And in the case of getting a car out of the muck, it’s often the rocking (the rhythmic application of force followed by a rest that creates rocking) that frees it. Your mind (and outlook on your business) likely needs a little on/off switch, which can be accomplished by doing something different. If any of the following are part of your daily practice, skip over that idea or do it in a new way. Psychologists refer to this as Divergent Thinking. 1. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation Engaging in mindfulness practices can help you improve focus, reduce stress, and enhance decision-making abilities. Regular meditation fosters a clearer mindset, allowing for better management of daily challenges and long-term strategic planning. With less stress, you may feel invigorated again. 2. Engage in Cross-Disciplinary Learning Exploring subjects outside of one's industry can spark creativity and innovation. For instance, a tech entrepreneur might benefit from studying art or philosophy, which can provide fresh perspectives and inspire new ideas applicable to their business. Cross-disciplinary learning isn’t hard, expensive, or time-consuming. Read a book, listen to an audiobook, subscribe to a newsletter in an area you know little about, join Blinkist to have access to thousands of book synopsis (like Clift Notes for adults), sit with an employee and ask them to teach you something—professional or about an interest they have. Learning something new can give you a fresh perspective. Next, try to find correlations in the learning you’re doing. How do these seemingly random lessons fit into what you normally enjoy or pursue? 3. Seek Out Mentorship and Reverse Mentorship While traditional mentorship is valuable, reverse mentorship—where younger or less experienced individuals provide insights to seasoned professionals—can offer new viewpoints on emerging trends, technologies, or even language (ever try to have a casual conversation with a Gen Zer? They use a completely different dictionary). This reciprocal learning can enrich your understanding of your market and customer base. Check with your chamber. They may have a mentorship program or might be able to match you with someone who can expand your understanding in a new area of interest. If you don’t have time to invest in a new mentor/mentee relationship, attend one of the Lunch & Learns in a subject you would never have thought of attending before. Again, look for correlations between what you’ve learned and how you might use it in your business or life. 4. Participate in Community Service or Volunteering Engaging in community service can enhance leadership skills and empathy, which are crucial for effective management. It also allows you to build networks and understand community needs. If you don’t have an interest in a cause, talk to your chamber. They’d be glad to put you to work. 5. Use a Swipe File or mymind Ever stumble across something that interests you, but you don’t have the time to pursue it? Well, that time is now. Take out whatever notes you’ve taken or swipe file you’ve kept and pursue something on your bucket list. If you don’t have a swipe file or bucket list, create one and start adding to it. I use mymind because it keeps a beautiful visual representation of books I’m interested in, website articles I want to read, movies I want to watch, etc. Prior to the app, I was using my notes function on my phone but it’s harder for me to find the snippets I wanted to save on there. (My notes are extensive so I needed a better solution.) If you’re always finding articles on the web that you don’t have time to read, try Pocket to save them for later. Pocket will also make suggestions on content to check out based on your interests. 6. Experiment with Personal Projects Undertaking personal projects unrelated to your business can foster creativity and innovation. These projects allow for risk-taking in a low-stakes environment, encouraging problem-solving and adaptability that can translate back into the business realm. They can also reduce stress, help you meet new people, and teach you the value of patience. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even uncover a new love or revenue stream!

No, this isn’t another article about how you can turn your hobby into a side hustle. But having a hobby can be great for your existing business. It may not feel like you have enough time for a hobby, but here’s why you should prioritize hobby time (or time spent cultivating one). Why You (and Your Business) Need a Hobby Hobbies aren’t time sucks. Having a hobby can significantly enhance your business and your well-being. “Hobbying” does not steal you away from your work. It contributes to it in several ways, including: Enhancing Your Creativity and Innovation Hobbies allow us to play in something we enjoy. They are ideal outlets for creative expression, which can translate into innovative ideas for your business. When you explore activities outside of your work, you can develop new perspectives and solutions that may not arise in a traditional business setting. Increased creativity can lead to unique products or services that differentiate your brand. When you take time for something other than work, your mind relaxes, and you can become better at problem-solving. Relieving Stress and Improving Well-being Hobbies provide a necessary break from the pressures of running a business. They can reduce stress, improve mental health, and increase overall happiness. A balanced mental state enhances decision-making and productivity. The change in focus from business to pleasure helps you unwind and use different parts of your brain. Improving Networking Opportunities Participating in hobbies (and the events surrounding them) can introduce you to new people and potential customers. These social interactions provide valuable networking opportunities, collaborations, and even new business ideas. Building relationships in a relaxed environment can foster trust and loyalty among potential clients. To meet new people, you could take a class in your new hobby, go to a hobby-based meet-up, join a Facebook group around your hobby, or teach a class on your hobby. Developing New Skills Hobbies often require learning new skills, which can benefit your business. You may also learn from other creators on social media and apply some of those ideas to your business’s social media. Additionally, hobbies can improve skills such as time management, organization, and problem-solving, which are crucial for running a successful business. Validating the Market If you consider turning your hobby into a business, it can serve as a form of market validation. If friends and family are interested in purchasing your hobby-related creations, it indicates a potential market demand. This initial interest can provide the confidence needed to take the next steps toward entrepreneurship or launching an additional product or service in your current business. Sometimes a hobby can have a strong tie into your business. For instance, a graphic designer may use their own photography hobby to generate images for clients. Which leads us to… Adding Financial Benefits Transforming a hobby into a business can also lead to financial gains. Many people have successfully monetized their hobbies, creating a profitable income stream while doing something they love. If managed effectively, hobbies can provide financial relief and evolve into a significant income source. Even if you don’t monetize your hobby, it may lend itself to creating a differentiator for you with your existing business. For instance, if you’re a plumber who enjoys painting, you could paint a mural on your van or send thank you cards to clients on one of your watercolor cards. Standing out in the market helps people remember you. You may be thinking this is great, but you don’t have time for anything but your business. We know you’re busy but as we’ve just seen, taking a break is beneficial for your business. Here are a few ways you can find the time for a hobby. You DO Have Time for a Hobby Reclaim your precious moments with these ideas: Think in Weeks, Not Days. Instead of squeezing hobbies into a daily schedule, look at your weekly calendar. Identify a few hours each week when you can dedicate time to something you love. Then schedule them in as a standing appointment. Learn to Say No. If your schedule is overflowing, it's okay to decline additional commitments or delegate tasks. This frees up time for the activities that bring you joy. Understand the difference between being busy and being productive. Prioritize the things in your business that move the dial the most. Re-evaluate Autopilot Mode. We all have moments when we zone out on social media or TV. (Hello, Netflix, my old friend.) Be mindful of how you spend this downtime, and see if you can swap some of it for hobbies. The problem with TV and screen time is that you can spend hours doing those things and still not feel like you’ve had a break. We tend to be unaware of that time. Instead, switch some of it for hobbies. Not only will you feel like you’ve had a break, you’ll get some mental health benefits from it as well. Embrace Micro Breaks. Short breaks during the workday can boost productivity. Your day is likely full of moments when you’re waiting for something—a meeting, an appointment, a call, etc. Use these moments to do something enjoyable, like listening to music or reading during lunch. The key to making this happen is having your hobby/relaxing activity ready to go when you have micro break time. If you don’t have it ready, you’ll likely reach for scrolling through social instead. And that’s not a break. Balancing the zaniness of running a business with a hobby can lead to many benefits for your mental health and your business. Don’t think of a hobby as time away from work. Think of it as a way to investment in your top employee—you.