How to Find the Spirit of Your Business: 3 Key Aspects to Focus On

/
How to Find the Spirit of Your Business: 3 Key Aspects to Focus On

You're self-employment curious, but you're not even sure what your business is or does. It's not clear to you what your business does and what it means to know what it does. You want to have confidence in knowing the general form of your business. I'll help orient you to the basics of your business. This also addresses what's required of the Executive Summary and Company Description sections of a business plan.

Read More

Do You Really Need a Business Plan? Collective Liberation and the Confidence You Crave

/
Do You Really Need a Business Plan? Collective Liberation and the Confidence You Crave

Business Plans. Are they archaic? Vital? Confusing AF? This is the first of a series of articles designed for self-employed businesses and people critical of capitalism. This series will go in-depth into each component of a business plan. This first article is an overview going through all the parts of a business plan. By understanding the components, it will become less monolithic. You might realize you know more than you thought, or that you've missed a key thing. Launch your business smartly with a solid plan!

Read More

Want a Risk-Free Business? Learn 3 Ways to Keep Yourself Protected

/
Want a Risk-Free Business? Learn 3 Ways to Keep Yourself Protected

This article is for the cautious first-time business owners who don't want to "risk it all" in launching their business. You're struggling with a fear of risk, especially in the case of litigation. You want to move forward and put protections in place confidently. I'll enlighten you regarding the risks you're exposed to. Then I'll further soothe your fears by describing the many methods you can use to protect yourself and your business. By the end of this article, you'll know risk-reducing actions and be able to move forward with confidence!

Read More

How to Demystify Customer Ease: a Proven Method to Increase Leads

/
How to Demystify Customer Ease: a Proven Method to Increase Leads

You can't know what you don't know, and that's true of so much for self-employed folks who are just getting started. You could be missing out on clients that you're not even aware of! That's not clickbait, it's just a fact. People interested in your services might never contact you. You can't completely solve this, but there are things you can do. In this article, I provide clarity for the client's purchasing decisions. Then I illuminate an easy but significant change that will help you to have more client inquiries.

Read More

The Prosperous Pyramid: How to Design Offerings to Skyrocket Your Business

/
The Prosperous Pyramid: How to Design Offerings to Skyrocket Your Business

This is an article for multi-talented and full of potential self-employed business owners who want to identify their first or next best business offering. Those just starting out will get clarity on what offering to start with, and more established businesses will learn which offerings to expand to. I help you analyze your offering ideas and prioritize your business offerings.

Read More

Avoid Price Increase Agony: How to Easily Raise Your Rates

/
Avoid Price Increase Agony: How to Easily Raise Your Rates

Once upon a time, you decided on rates for your business. They made sense at that time. But now, you're not sure they're working for you anymore. Is it time to raise prices? What should you raise them to? How do you roll out these new rates? This article is for folks like you: business owners who are struggling with changing their rates. You don't know how to raise your rates and want to confidently decide upon and implement a new price. Read on as I clarify the process. You'll get instructions on each step so that you can confidently make an increase in your rates.

Read More

The Competition Insider: How to Win Against the Siren Song of the Marketplace

/
The Competition Insider: How to Win Against the Siren Song of the Marketplace

Earnest aspiring business owners like yourself want to make wise decisions when it comes to launching their business. Marketplace websites can seem very attractive for those who worry about where customers will come from. Marketplaces attract just as much competition as customers. And do you really need competition? I say you don't! Allow me to illuminate what you need to know to launch a fruitful business.

Read More

Strengthen through Self-Employment: 3 Unique Benefits You're Guaranteed to Get

/
Strengthen through Self-Employment: 3 Unique Benefits You're Guaranteed to Get

Anxieties about starting a business abound. Strategic-thinking folks like you seek to distinguish legitimate fears from illegitimate anxieties. What many don't realize is that the outcome of self-employment is not success. Yes, that could be one of the outcomes, but it's not the only or even the most valuable. As I reflect back from my 10th year in business, I share three key outcomes I see all my clients benefit from. I hope my perspective will help reinforce your confidence. And - for those not yet started - encourage you to launch your business!

Read More

From Big Picture to Small Scale: How to Be Self-Employed And Master Market Trends

/
From Big Picture to Small Scale: How to Be Self-Employed And Master Market Trends

This article is for those who are struggling to understand what market research means. As a small business, you need to avoid overwhelm and focus on the most relevant market data. Allow me to illuminate what works best for self-employed businesses. I'll show you how to understand your market well enough to properly steward your business. It's not just, What trends are you noticing? but also How are you noticing trends?

Read More

Worried About Your Refund? The Self-Employed Guide to Federal Taxes

/
Worried About Your Refund? The Self-Employed Guide to Federal Taxes

Did you just get blind-sided by self-employment taxes? Or maybe you're early in your entrepreneurial journey and you're afraid of all the taxes you'll have to pay when self-employed. Let's clarify what's going on with self-employed taxes. Then we can make a plan that anticipates your tax liability.

This blog article is for progressive self-employed business owners who want to institute business practices throughout the year that will make tax time less stressful. But who also want to (legally) minimize the amount of tax they have to pay. Read on to better understand how to build a successful business with minimal stress at tax time.

Read More

BOI Cheat Sheet: How to Effortlessly Conquer this New Requirement

/
BOI Cheat Sheet: How to Effortlessly Conquer this New Requirement

Have you filed your BOI report yet? ...did you even know that was a thing? As self-employed business owners, we're out here minding our own business. Then the government makes a change, and how are we supposed to know?? It's all good because you've got me! Read on to learn more about the BOI report and stay out of trouble with minimal confusion.

Read More

The Scientific Solution to the Chicken and the Egg: How to Apply it to Business

/
The Scientific Solution to the Chicken and the Egg: How to Apply it to Business

You haven't started your business yet, and you're not sure where to start. It seems like everything is interconnected and all needs to be done at the same time. Is there a starting point? If you do find a starting point, what comes next?

In this article, I provide 4 strategies to guide you through all the paradoxes of an early business's life. If you're a conscientious aspiring self-employed business owner, this will show you how to move through the early stages of your business with more confidence!

Read More

3 Unexpected Reasons Healing From Shame is Incredible for Business

/
3 Unexpected Reasons Healing From Shame is Incredible for Business

This is a blog article for those who are trying to construct a business and are trying to decide between what will work for them and the usual way of constructing a business. I know the desire for survival can tempt many to abandon their authenticity. In actuality, authenticity is key to building a successful business. I'll illuminate my rationale behind why eradicating self-denial is key to your success.

Read More

Launch a Business, and Then Your Life Shatters? A Guide to Get You Through

/
Launch a Business, and Then Your Life Shatters? A Guide to Get You Through

This is an article for business owners who are struggling with getting knocked off balance when big life stuff happens. It's possible to navigate negative events with less stress. This is true even if you're only just launching your business. Let's explore a few principles that will help you get through a tough time with a successful business.

Read More

Spend Money to Make Money: How to Defy Doom and Avoid Bankruptcy

/
Spend Money to Make Money: How to Defy Doom and Avoid Bankruptcy

You want to start a business, but you're not sure what to buy now and what to hold off on. You want to make purchases with confidence to launch your business, but you also don't want to end up bankrupt. Starting a business comes with tight budgets and tough spending decisions. Read on as I provide guidance on differentiating between must-have and nice-to-have expenses. Learn when to invest in essential items and when to consider nice-to-haves like virtual assistants or upgraded tools, all while managing your funds effectively.

Read More

How to Thrive Through Doing: A Guide for Conquering Challenges

/
How to Thrive Through Doing: A Guide for Conquering Challenges

This article delves into the common dilemma where meticulous planning meets the unexpected trials of implementation. Discover how embracing the process and seeking external perspectives can empower entrepreneurs to navigate the uncharted waters between knowledge and action.

Read More

Maggie's Guest Appearance on the Pocket Hours Podcast→

/

SCOUT Real Estate Founder Jennifer Nelson chats with Maggie Karshner on this episode of Pocket Hours.

Staying informed and educated on Fair Housing practices is now a requirement for keeping your real estate license up-to-date. Understanding terms like “redlining” and “blockbusting” is just the beginning. There are a lot more subtle discriminatory practices that exist and continue to marginalize people in minority groups.

Maggie reminds us that this work is ongoing. It is our responsibility to address what we see and stay open to learning to keep making forward progress. She also brings to light how simple habits, like the way agents describe neighborhoods, can be rooted in discrimination.

Maggie gives us advice on how to notice these biases, dig deeper into why assumptions might be made, and interrogate our own assumptions to ensure we are doing our part. Not only do we want to ensure equity and fairness for clients, we should take time to evaluate our own business relationships and partnerships. Can we find ways to lift up businesses that have historically been marginalized?

Listen to learn more!

Read More

The Unexpected Secret of Content Creation: Why You Should Give Everything Away Free

/
The Unexpected Secret of Content Creation: Why You Should Give Everything Away Free

This is a blog article for those who are struggling with indecision about what to include in their content. I'll reveal the secret to having more fun creating content while also attracting your ideal client. This article will clarify the process that will attract clients through content creation.

Read More

4 Pitfalls of Toxic Masculinity to Overcome for Business Success

/
4 Pitfalls of Toxic Masculinity to Overcome for Business Success

Explore the risks of toxic masculinity in entrepreneurship and discover four traits that can undermine your business dreams. This article delves into the importance of open-mindedness, embracing humanity, active listening, and agility in overcoming these traits. Learn how breaking free from toxic masculinity leads to a thriving and inclusive business environment.

Read More

How to Craft an Effective Elevator Speech for Your Business

/
How to Craft an Effective Elevator Speech for Your Business

How would an elevator speech help your business? This is a blog article for authentic business owners who are struggling to talk about their businesses in a meaningful way. Here I'll illuminate the key objectives of an elevator speech and how it can help you talk about your business. You'll discover how a good elevator speech will help you to promote your business authentically. Authentic promotion is possible whether it's a meeting with investors or a spontaneous casual interaction.

Read More