Boosting Your Success with AIIP’s Business Jumpstart Bootcamp
By Janel Kinlaw and Marge King
Starting a business can be scary, especially when you read the statistics on start-up failure rates – nearly 20% of all businesses fail in the first year and only 30% will remain after 10 years. Still, many entrepreneurs start a business because they are passionate about what they do and want to have better control over their destiny. Let’s not lose sight of the 80% of entrepreneurs who succeed in the first year and the fact that most entrepreneurs are happy owning and running a business.
How do you become an entrepreneur who stands the test of time? Successful entrepreneurs have a clear understanding of how to get started. There are books and websites to help you with that (including AIIP member Mary Ellen Bates’ book). But sitting down with entrepreneurs always gives more insight into the practical side of starting and running a business.
That’s why AIIP has assembled a group of successful women entrepreneurs to share their wisdom with you during the AIIP Jumpstart Business Bootcamp on April 18th (prior to the AIIP 2024 Symposium). Here they will discuss some of the pesky details of starting a business, including:
- why some businesses succeed and others fail
- how to position and market your business
- why pricing matters, and
- technology tools that help business owners
Here’s how a few of our speakers took the first step to start their business.
Mary Ellen Bates: I joined AIIP before I started my business, which helped me figure out what to expect and plan for, and what pitfalls to avoid. I attended my first AIIP conference a month before I launched, which was transformative – I picked up essential entrepreneurial skills, met a colleague who hired me as a subcontractor, found a mentor, and learned how AIIP could help me create and build a sustainable business.
Janel Kinlaw: I also joined AIIP before starting my business to understand what resources I might need to get started. I took a class through my local small business center to understand the different company options available and their tax implications. I needed a website and a company name to have a digital presence, so I built out a basic website with case studies of projects I had done in the past. My first client was my former employer, making the transition to being a small business owner easier.
Kelly Berry: I went from teaching in the business school at a local university to launching a consulting company, knowing very little about starting a business. So, I did what any infopreneur would do – I researched it! That led to creating my LLC, reserving a domain name, setting up email, and completing the usual business setup tasks. When it came to finding clients, there wasn’t much helpful research. I attended local networking events and connected with another small business owner new to a networking group and asked him to be my test customer. He wanted to move into a new market, and I offered to help him for free in exchange for a testimonial. That helped me figure out my processes and gain some confidence – having the first client made it so much easier to find the next one.
Marge King: When I decided to start a business almost 24 years ago, the first thing I did was take a class on starting a business. It was incredibly helpful. There are so many things you need to do and consider before you get started. After the business was up and running, I joined AIIP for support in developing my business. AIIP members have helped me solve business problems, learn about new tools, and more. I often tell people that one of the best ways to find happiness and job security is to start your own business. I feel fortunate to have taken the leap to entrepreneurship so many years ago.
These are just some of the speakers you’ll meet face-to-face at the AIIP Jumpstart Business Bootcamp in April. Whether you are relaunching your business, are in need of encouragement, or are in the early planning stages, you can boost your success with this workshop. Join us and register today.
Janel Kinlaw launched Refining Workflow in March 2018, where she provides project management and business analysis to her clients. She is currently AIIP’s President.
Marge King has been a small business owner for more than 20 years. Info Rich Group Inc serves the nonprofit sector to provide research, information, and fundraising strategies helping clients obtain large gifts and grants.
