Guest Bloggers

3 Ways to Keep Scaling Your Startup Without Burning the Midnight Oil

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By In Her Shoes Guest Contributor: Shavon Morris

The entrepreneurial journey, though exciting, can also be quite cumbersome. The responsibility of having to gain traction, develop a clientele, establish revenue, and forge strategic partnerships can be a bit overwhelming, to say the least. These responsibilities are considered growth strategies, also known as scaling. It involves everyday improvement towards your product or service in a proportional way.  Every entrepreneur is learning how to scale without collapsing under pressure. In this article, I hope to offer practical tips, that will help you navigate business growing pains.

First things first…

Photo Credit: Pexels

Remember, There’s An App For That.

Whether you are struggling to get organized or trying to figure out how to write your first business plan, these days there are literally apps for everything. As a business owner, you want to adopt processes that will help you focus on what matters most. Conducting a simple Google search can make the difference between a great night’s sleep or a night of tossing and turning. If you’re struggling with time management there’s My Minute, a free app that faithfully helps you stay concentrated. The app’s primary function is to help you set practical goals within a specified time frame. For example, one goal might be “respond to emails for only 30 minutes,” the app will record your time, and notify you when you’ve finished the task. My Minute will also send encouraging notifications, designed to keep you motivated. Sometimes the best way to scale your business is by working smarter, rather than harder. Here is a list of a few of my favorite apps that will help you accomplish that goal:

  • Airtable – It’s a spreadsheet that has built-in templates, which can be used for budgeting, CRM, project management, and tracking applications. There’s even a column for uploading attachments.
  • ShipStation – An online platform that makes the shipping process easier. ShipStation generates shipping labels and connects business owners with multiple shipping carriers to compare rates.
  • SlideBean – A recent startup that helps business owners design profession presentations (PitchDecks, Proposals, etc.) in seconds by using artificial intelligence.  

Get Smart About Hiring Quick Help

Let’s face it, hiring today is very different than it was just 10 years ago; candidates are demanding higher salaries, exceptional benefits, and more freedom. But due to startup costs, business owners don’t always have the working capital required to hire quality employees.

So, what’s the best solution for both parties?

Answer: Quick freelance labor through mobile marketplaces.

If you’ve never used taskrabbit or fivver it’s time to jump on the bandwagon. Both companies match freelance labor with local demand, allowing entrepreneurs to find immediate help with everyday business tasks. Whether you need a virtual assistant, a graphic designer, or just someone to help you package orders, these job marketplaces are incredible resources for when you need a quick hiring solution.

Photo Credit: Pexels

Prioritize Self-Care

We live in a society that prides itself on being overworked and underpaid. But if you want to grow a thriving business, it’s important to listen to your body. A recent study [1], conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology, showed that mental and physical stress causes increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This hormone produces many harmful side effects, such as sleep disruption, depression, fatigue, and cloudy thinking.

However, a follow-up study showed that after participating in eight-weeks of meditation therapy, participants’ stress levels, drastically declined. They also found that the meditation improved participants’ ability to reorient and maintain their attention span. Here are a few more benefits associated with meditating that will drastically improve your work productivity:

  • Controls Anxiety
  • Promotes Emotional Health
  • Enhances Self-Awareness
  • Provides Mental Clarity
  • Generates Peaceful Thinking
  • May Help Fight Addictions

Overall

Growth can be painful or manageable, it’s all in how you plan. By utilizing technology, and setting aside time to regroup, you will inevitably reach new business milestones!

Photo Credit: Cameron Thompson

Contributor’s Bio

 Shavon Morris is a mother, wife and the founder and lead designer behind the wedding stationery startup, Morris & Company Designs. Most recently she has been accepted to participate in the We Are Amped, Women of Color Incubator Program, for podcasters and business owners. Before entrepreneurship, Shavon worked as a public relations assistant for a Chicago-based marketing agency, she also worked as a 5th-Grade writing teacher in Houston, Texas.  Her degree is in Business and Creative Advertising from Columbia College Chicago.

[1] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-benefits-of-meditation#section5

As a New York City storyteller, filmmaker, digital content creator, and PR strategist, Renae Bluitt created "In Her Shoes" to empower and enlighten women committed to realizing their dreams.

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