Let me guess, you were the kid who couldn’t stop drawing on his homework. Or the designated photographer on family vacations — even though you were only 12. Or the friend who styled everyone’s hair before a wild Friday night back in college.

Whatever your medium, you’ve always had skills and love using them. In fact, you would kinda (okay, really) like to start your own shop and actually get paid for your work.

The question is: how to start a business while you’re still employed full time?

We won’t lie to you, starting a business is hard, time-consuming, and fraught with risk. But it can also be incredibly rewarding, both emotionally and financially. If you have the drive, you can turn your dream into a reality. And it probably won’t take you as long as you might think either, if you follow our tips…

Keep reading to learn how to:

• Clarify your why
• Get your mindset right
• Choose the right business tools
• And much, much more

By the end of this ultimate guide, you’ll have the tools you need to start your business now, as a side hustle, and grow it into your full-time gig as quickly as possible. Sound good? Then let’s get started.

What this guide isn’t

We have TONS of practical strategies to share with you about how to start a business while you’re still employed. But before we unleash our metaphorical firehose of knowledge, we want to explain what you won’t learn from this guide — to make sure we’re on the same page.

This guide will *not* teach you how to apply for a business license or secure financial assistance for your new venture. Don’t worry, the internet is filled with blogs on those topics.

Instead we’re going to focus on more foundational concepts like:

• Choosing the right business
• Adopting a proper mindset
• Making time for your side hustle
• When to go full time with your venture

Basically, we’re going to cover the things that will really determine the success of your shop. Sound like a plan? Great, let’s get this show on the road!

How to start a service business

So, what’s your thing? Maybe you have Hollywood-level makeup skills or magic massage hands. Maybe you’re a fitness expert with a jacked bod and a knack for helping sculpt the physiques of your friends. That’s all great, we applaud you.

But if you want to learn how to start a service business and turn your talents into a sustainable income, you’ll need to acquire other skills as well.

Here’s a seven-step process you can follow to get your dream biz up and running now — even if you’re still tethered to traditional employment.

1. Choose the right business

We’ll begin at the very beginning. What kind of service business should you start?
Too basic? Stick with us for a minute. This is absolutely essential…

Most people believe that passion is everything. It makes sense. Some of the greatest entrepreneurs of all time (think Steve Jobs) make it seem like “following your passion” is always the answer. And if you’re not successful, well, you just aren’t passionate enough — shame on you.

We call bull.

There’s nothing wrong with passion. But if it’s the only thing driving your business, you’re destined to fail. This is because passions change on a regular basis.

If you want to successfully learn how to start a business while you’re still employed, look beyond your passions and ask yourself the following four questions:

What am I good at?

Just because you’re passionate about music doesn’t mean you’re destined to become the next Beyonce or Harry Styles or whoever else the kids are listening to these days.

Take an honest look at team YOU and assess your skills. Which of your talents can you realistically build a business around? Chase your talent, not your passion. You’ll make more money and experience less stress this way, guaranteed.

What do I enjoy?

Building a business is difficult. You’re going to have to work long hours (at least in the beginning) and make sacrifices. Plus, you’re probably going to have to do things you don’t enjoy. Most tattoo artists aren’t crazy about managing their appointment [c][d]calendar, for example. So if you don’t like delivering the service you plan to deliver, you might as well keep your day job.

Now, don’t misunderstand us. We aren’t saying you need to have a raging passion for your service business. But you do need to like it.

What’s my why?

Why do you want to start your own service business, anyway? Some people want the freedom that comes with being their own boss. Others crave a bigger paycheck or the chance to spend their “on the clock time” doing something they enjoy.

The only wrong answer in this regard is *no* answer. Knowing your why will get you through tough times and keep you grounded as your business expands.

What will sustain me?

Finally, assess whether your service business idea can sustain your desired lifestyle. You may be “The Pooch Whisperer” and love taking care of your fur baby. But making a strong six-figure income as a dog walker could be difficult.

If you need to reach a certain financial threshold, make sure your chosen service business will get you there.

Roughly 50% of businesses fail within five years. Answer the four questions above and build a successful service-based enterprise that will stand the test of time.

2. Get your mindset right

A proper mindset is vital if you want to learn how to start a business while you’re still employed. Here are five tips to help you bring your A game to your head game:

1. Stock up on sweat equity

Have we mentioned that starting a business is hard? We don’t say it to scare you. We just want you to be fully prepared before you start your new venture.

Plan to work on your business in the evenings, after you’ve already put in eight hours at your day job. And on the weekends before your kid’s soccer game. And pretty much every other free moment you have to spare. That’s what it takes.

But don’t worry, your efforts will be worth it. Eventually you’ll be able to walk away from your day job and pursue your venture full-time. Heck yes!

2. Plan for growth

Carol Dweck, an American psychologist, is credited with developing the theory of fixed and growth mindsets. A fixed mindset believes in innate traits that can’t be changed. You’ll never become more intelligent, hardworking, etc. than you are now.

A growth mindset, on the other hand, believes that these traits can be improved through open mindedness and a commitment to learning.

As an aspiring business owner, it pays to have a growth mindset. This mentality will help you turn challenges into opportunities and treat failure as a step towards success. It will also empower you to plan for growth in the future.

If you don’t believe your current skill sets can be improved upon, you probably won’t be open to trying new business strategies or investing in tools like online appointment scheduling software either. Why would you? They won’t be able to help you anyway.

Adopt a growth mindset, then adopt strategies to help you maximize your shop’s potential. This is key when learning how to start a service business.

3. Don’t play the comparison game

It’s been a pretty good day so far. You got off work early, picked up the kids from school, and then cut the hair of three long-term clients. Now you’re eating dinner at your favorite local restaurant. Because, in the immortal words of Tom and Donna, “Treat yo’ self!”

As you sit at your table waiting for the check, you whip out your phone and start scrolling through Instagram. Buh bye good vibes.

Suddenly you feel jealous, because Tanya, another hair stylist in town, just bought a shiny new car. “I wish I could afford that sweet ride,” you think. You keep scrolling and realize that your sister’s down in Cabo right now. “Must be nice,” you mutter under your breath.

Before you know it, your good mood is gone, baby, gone and you’re wondering why you thought starting a new business was a good idea.

It NEVER pays to play the comparison game. Your journey is different from Tanya’s and your sister’s and everyone else’s. Measuring yourself against their social media highlights is a recipe for depression. And it will definitely keep you from creating a business you love.

4. Kick perfectionism to the curb

News flash: nobody is perfect. We all know this. But still, so many of us put our mental sanity on the line to achieve something that’s unattainable. When we inevitably fail, our self-worth takes a huge hit. It’s really hard to build a business when your ego is in the dumps.

That’s why we need to fight against perfectionism. Aim for good, not perfect and learn to enjoy the journey, not just the outcome. This will empower you to build a business that’s successful and a joy to own. Trust us, you want both of these things.

5. Run from imposter syndrome

It’s not just the comparison game and perfectionism you have to look out for. Imposter syndrome is the third member of Team Terrible and it’s a doozy.

In fact, if these three conditions started a band, the imposter syndrome would be the lead singer. Every single one of us (yes, even your super awesome, super successful idol) has felt like an imposter at one time or another.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, imposter syndrome is a mental state in which an individual questions their achievements and fears being exposed as a fraud. It makes us feel like we lucked into our success and everyone is about to notice.

Left unchecked, imposter syndrome can lead to depression, anxiety, overwork, perfectionism (see above), unhappiness, and other harmful mindsets.

It’s common for imposter syndrome to rear its butt-ugly head when someone takes initiative and decides to start a business. They’ll think, “I have no idea what I’m doing,” or “Maybe I’m not that talented after all,” or “This will only work if I get super lucky…”

When you have these kinds of thoughts, kick them to the curb. They’re not true and they don’t deserve a second of your valuable time. Instead, remind yourself of your successes, keep working hard, and pour your energy into satisfying your clients.

3. Start now

At this point, you’ve chosen the correct business and got your mind right. What’s next? It’s time to dive in and start. Yup, fire up the engine and get your show on the road.

This is an exciting time. You’re heart’s probably like “Whhheeee!!!” and we totally understand. But remember, we’re teaching you how to start a business while you’re still employed. “While” is the key word here. So don’t go quittin’ your day job yet.

Unless you’re a trust fund kid, have wads of cash in the bank, or have a significant other that can pay the bills while you build your dream, your new business will start as a side hustle.

This is actually GREAT news because it means you can grow your business without many of the financial strains that accompany a new venture. It will also allow you to focus more time on important things like investing in the right tools.

When we say the “right tools” we’re talking about:

Website building

A killer website is a must in this day and age. If your homebase on the interwebs isn’t eye-catching, informative, and easy to navigate, you’ll have a hard time building your client list. Fortunately, tools like WordPress and Squarespace make it easy to build a professional website — even if you’re technically-challenged.

Email marketing

A basic email service like Gmail is essential. Without this kind of tool, your clients will have a hard time contacting you. But we also suggest investing in email marketing software (MailChimp is a popular option) so you can send automated newsletters. Doing so will keep your business top of mind and boost bookings.

Social media marketing

You’re on social, right? Many hair stylists, tattoo artists, freelance photographers, etc. use social media platforms like Instagram to reach potential clients. But social media can be a giant time-suck — especially for those with full-time jobs. That’s why we recommend using an app like Buffer to schedule your posts ahead of time.

Online appointment scheduling

It’s the 21st century, but plenty of independent shops act like it’s 1954, booking appointments via a pen and paper system. This is, shall we say… less than ideal?

Online appointment scheduling tools like Bookedin allow clients to book appointments on their own terms. That way you don’t have to rush to the bathroom every time a potential client calls you at your day job[e][f]. These apps will also send your customers automated appointment reminders, freeing you up to focus on the service you provide.

You’ll notice that most of the tools listed above involve some form of automation. Use the technology available to you to get more done in your limited amount of time.

Your client list

Want to learn how to start a business while you’re still employed and ensure it’s successful? Take this time to grow your client list above all else. If you can build a collection of customers who LOVE what you do, your transition from part-time to full-time will be much smoother.

4. Prepare for the future

Most people who find entrepreneurial success are forward thinkers. Meaning they make plans and take steps with the future in mind. Here’s an example:

Kelly just started working as a tattoo artist in her free time. She’s been at it for six months and has worked on a few projects, gaining experience and referrals along the way. Yesterday, Kelly landed her biggest project to date: a full sleeve that will bring in thousands of dollars in revenue[g][h]. Once the project is completed, Kelly has two options:

1. Kelly could book a trip to Vegas with the money she’s made. Between her full-time job and her side hustle, she’s been working a lot of hours and definitely deserves a break.
2. Or, Kelly could take her earnings and reinvest them in her business. She could buy better equipment, make a marketing push… there are plenty of options.

Kelly is entitled to do whatever she wants with her money — it’s HER money, after all. But a forward-thinking business owner would reinvest the money they’ve made. That way they can achieve their goal of full-time entrepreneurship sooner.

Your money isn’t the only thing you’ll need to invest to get your business off the ground. You’ll also need to invest your time to deepen your industry knowledge, develop important business skills, network with other professionals in your area, etc.

Just remember, when it comes to investing your money and time, all work and no play is rarely a recipe for success. It’s definitely okay to reward yourself now and again.

It’s also important to set boundaries and spend time on non-work related activities. An online appointment scheduling app can really help in this regard. These kinds of tools make it easy to section off time for family, rejuvenation, and other pursuits.

Think about your business goals and then plan your finances and free time accordingly.

5. Evaluate your approach

The final step is evaluation. Are you getting closer to your goal of full-time entrepreneurship? If so, double down on the tactics that work the best. If not, adjust your approach. Just don’t get caught up in someone else’s version of success.

So what if your mom’s best friend’s husband thinks you could make more money if you opened a second location? He’s not the ones who’ll have to work 60+ hours a week.

You need to determine what success looks like to YOU. If that means a second location and extra hours, go for it. But don’t feel bad if you’re happy with a smaller, more manageable business. The venture you build should facilitate the life you want to live. Don’t let it become another “job” that you have to drag yourself to, kicking and screaming, every morning.

When evaluating your business, keep your goals in mind and stop worrying about growth for the sake of it. You’ll be MUCH happier that way.

When do you know?

As in, “When do you know it’s time to go all in on your dream?”

Side hustlers have asked this question since… well, since side hustles were first invented. That’s right, Great Grandpa Caveman spent many sleepless nights in front of the fire, wondering when he could ditch berry-picking and hunt Wooly Mammoths full-time.

The truth is, no one can tell you when to quit your day and job and give your service business your full attention. It’s a very personal decision that you have to make for yourself. But you definitely do *not* have to make it in the dark.

Keep an eye out for these four signs that you’re ready:

1. You dread your job: Does working your day job make you sick to your stomach? Do you catch yourself daydreaming about your side hustle on company time? You might be ready to resign. If, on the other hand, your day job is still fun and challenging, you might consider holding onto it for longer.
2. You have room to grow: Let’s pretend your part-time gig is bringing in an extra $2,000 a month — not bad! But unless you plan to live on that amount for the rest of your life, you need to make sure your business has growth potential. If you’re tapped out in that regard, definitely keep the day job on lock.
3. You can’t do both anymore: Have you had to turn down work because you didn’t have time for it? It’s frustrating when your job keeps you from accepting new clients. But it’s also exciting. Why? Because this is a clear sign that your side hustle has the potential to grow into a full-time profession. Whoop whoop!
4. Your finances are in order: In most cases, the money factor will determine when you resign. Are you making enough from your side gig to sustain your current lifestyle? Or can you adjust your lifestyle to accommodate your fledgling business? At the very least, make sure you have a decent amount of savings in the bank. That way if cash flow becomes a problem, you can still pay the rent and buy groceries.

Again, only you can determine when to give your two-week notice and wade into the wild waters of entrepreneurship. But consider the four signs above before making a decision.

If they can do it, so can you!

Every aspiring business owner needs encouragement and motivation. Guess what — we’ve got it for you in spades! Meet Uptown Barbershop, owned and operated by Mr. Eddie Murawski in sunny Naples, Florida.

In 2018, Eddie was working multiple dead-end jobs (his words) and cutting hair on the side. He’d dreamed about owning his own shop since he was 15 years old. But coming from a poor background, he didn’t have the funds or know-how to get started.

Fortunately, Eddie’s story doesn’t end there like it does for so many other people with a dream. He took initiative, read business books, grew his YouTube channel.

In 2019, Eddie made the leap and started his own shop. He now has six other barbers on staff and a host of happy clients who love the services he provides. Even better, Eddie’s invested in appointment scheduling software which allows him to find an ideal work-life balance.

Eddie’s story is a triumph, but here’s the thing: you can do it, too. With dedication, a solid plan, and the right tools, you can turn your dream into a reality.

Build your business

Now — like, right now — is the perfect time to start and build your business. Why? Because you still have financial security from your day job. This means you can grow your venture on the side, free from many of the pressures that accompany entrepreneurship.

Starting with a side hustle will also allow you to clarify your why, get your mindset right, experiment with tools like online appointment scheduling software, and implement the other tips outlined in this article.

But we all know that eventually, you’ll need to make the leap and give your side gig your full attention. Don’t worry, when that time comes, we know you’ll be ready!

I love Eeyore. He’s a sad donkey, to be sure, but that’s part of why I like him so much. I’m always cheering him on, hoping he’ll see the light. Obviously, Eeyore is a fictional character, and his mindset is never going to change. It looks something like this:

Why do we love Eeyore so much? Here’s some (almost) baseless speculation for you: it’s because we’ve all been there. We’ve all been the sad donkey who feels like everything is falling apart, and we’ve all needed love and care from our friends to get by. Feeling this way once in a while is more than alright – it’s completely normal, and totally human. Feeling that way all the time, though? You might want to shift your mindset. 

Does your mindset matter? Spoiler alert: absolutely. We’re going to do a deep dive on what mindset is, then look at a few contrasting mindsets. We’ll focus on mindsets that might benefit entrepreneurs (though, honestly, they can benefit anyone), and look at some traps you might fall into. Ready? Let’s dive in:

What is a Mindset?

Mindset is a brooooooad term – it’s basically your set of assumptions, beliefs, opinions, and thoughts. What’s funny about mindsets is that some people will have you believe that person X will have a mindset that looks like this:

via GIPHY

While other people have mindsets that look like this:

Realistically, though, parts of your mindset will shift regularly. I’m a writer. Let me tell you, no matter what beliefs or assumptions I have at a given time, sometimes I feel galaxy-brained, and sometimes I feel monkey-brained (especially if there’s some fun distraction in the area).

That’s something to keep in mind as we dive into different mindsets. You won’t always be guided perfectly by your mindset – one important element of the most useful mindsets is to not get too down on yourself when things don’t go your way. You can feel like Eeyore sometimes, and draw on the strength of your loved ones. Keep the true, useful, and powerful beliefs and assumptions we’re going to talk about in your mind, and you’ll draw strength from yourself, too.

Growth and Fixed Mindsets

The notion of these two mindsets was developed by psychologist, Carol Dweck. You can delve into a lot of the theory behind these two mindsets, but we’re going to keep it simple: 

A fixed mindset is a belief that your traits are innate. You’re only ever going to be as intelligent, moral, hard-working, reliable, etc. as you already are. A growth mindset is the belief that by being open-minded, willing to embrace failure and mistakes, and capable of learning, you can improve those same base attributes.

Locus of Control

All of this relates back to a concept called “locus of control”. 

*No, not locusts of control

Locus of control comes in two exciting flavours – external and internal. External locus of control is associated with fixed mindsets – it’s the belief that factors outside of your control determine your lot in life. Internal locus of control is the opposite – it’s the belief that you have control over outcomes.

Here’s something that’s important to remember – there are things outside of your control, like the weather, and black swan events. What is in your control is how you respond to those things, and that’s the crux of the growth mindset. 

When you have a fixed mindset, the success of others can seem like a threat to you – proof that their immutable base attributes are better than yours. When you have a growth mindset, you can celebrate the success of others, and look to them as examples of how to further your own dreams, goals, and ambitions.

No One Is Perfect

One last take away from growth vs. fixed mindset – no one has a perfect growth mindset. This is acknowledged by Carol Dweck herself. We can fall into fixed mindsets when we feel threatened – we want to prove that our “core self” is better than the one threatening us, so we’re less inclined to try to learn from them. The key isn’t never falling into these habits – it’s acknowledging when you do, and trying to shift your thinking to one of growth.

For entrepreneurs, the use of growth mindsets is obvious. You want to see challenges as opportunities, criticism as a chance to learn, and failure as one more step toward success. Realistically, this attitude is useful for everyone. Embrace change. Embrace growth.

Scarcity vs. Abundance Mindset

Closely related to the fixed mindset and growth mindset, we have the scarcity mindset and abundance mindset. 

I’m going to be honest with you all – I fall into the scarcity mindset a lot more than I’d like to, especially when it comes to finances. It’s a mindset that says there isn’t enough, so you have to conserve what you have at any cost. I grew up on the poorer side of the economic spectrum (for where I lived, anyway), so I’ve developed a conservative approach to personal finances (I wear my shoes until the soles are falling off) and have an unhealthy taste for blue box macaroni.

Scarcity mindset is worrying about what you don’t have – abundance mindset is celebrating what you do have. When you think of scarcity, you think of life as a zero-sum game – whatever someone else has is something you don’t have. Much like the fixed mindset, this can lead to you kind of disliking other people – not a good trait for any entrepreneur. Business is all about people – helping your community, and creating connections.

Abundance mindset, then, is looking at what other people have and celebrating it. It’s about looking at what you have and wanting to share it – knowing that giving your knowledge and time to others isn’t a loss, but a gain. When you focus on what you don’t have, not having will become your way of thinking, and your way of acting. When you focus on how much you have, and practice gratitude, you’ll think abundantly, opening yourself up to the very real possibilities and resources that are right in front of you.

The Ultimate Bottleneck

One thing I want to make abundantly (pun intended) clear is that having an abundance mindset doesn’t mean you should spend recklessly. Rather, think of it more as looking on the bright side – even if you have to curb your spending right now, there are always going to be new opportunities on the horizon. It’s looking at challenges as resources, and competitors as comrades. It’s a lot like a growth mindset.

Here’s a question for you: what’s your biggest bottleneck? One of the most obvious answers is time. You only have 24 hours in a day, and, to be a bit fatalistic, so many hours in your life.

Realistically, though, our mindsets can be a bigger bottleneck than time. On great days, you can get done in half an hour what takes you 2 on a bad day. 

When you’re in abundance mode, you might find that every minute of your time is well-spent. You’re connecting with people! You’re improving the lives of others, and improving your own life! You can smell the flowers, to mess up an old cliché.

When you’re in a scarcity mindset, though, you’re going to be like Scrooge before he was haunted by a bunch of ghosts (which turned out surprisingly well for him!). When you’re focusing all of your energy on how little time there is, and how little you have, you may not enjoy the time you do have – or spend it particularly productively.

One great way to push yourself out of a scarcity mindset is to automate tasks that you don’t find fulfilling. This pushes your thinking away from “I could be doing that instead of this”, and towards “I love how I’m spending my time!”. Software that helps you keep track of your schedule, manage appointment booking, answer simple customer queries, or handle your bookkeeping can be a huge boon.

Like any mindset (and I’m going to keep hammering this point home), no one is always going to be abundance-minded. Sometimes, we feel scared that we’re going to lose what’s ours, and we fall into scarcity patterns. That’s okay. It’s about being mindful of when we fall into those patterns, and (gently) correcting them that we begin to grow and flourish.

The “Hustle Harder” Mindset

Okay, let’s take a deeeeeeep breath.

I’m not going to tell you not to hustle. Hustling is great! I’m hustling right now, juggling a few different articles I’ve got to write.

But let me tell you something else.

You need a break.

And unless you’re on an Olympic curling team, I don’t want to hear you yelling HURRY HARD!!! at yourself or anyone else all day long.

Some work and some play make Jack feel pretty good!

There are so many studies that show the importance of taking a break. You should be playing at work. Vacations are very good for you. Basically, when you give yourself the chance to rest, relax, and rejuvenate, your hustle will be more effective, more enjoyable, and all together, more fruitful.

Give yourself time to enjoy your own company, and the company of others, without the stress of the hustle looming over you. It can improve your self-esteem. It can shift your thinking from a scarcity mindset (I need to hustle to get my piece of the pie) to an abundance mindset (I want to hustle because it makes me feel good and improves my already satisfying life). 

A Finer Grind

Those of you who have been on the grind for longer than Hill Bros. Coffee might have a hard time adjusting to this grind smarter, not harder philosophy. One trick is to find places that you’re grinding out work that you don’t have to do. This goes back to something we talked about earlier – if you’re zoomed in on a particular worry, you might not see possibilities all around you.

Here are some quick tips:

• Love scheduling? Schedule in time for your personal hobbies, or even time to do nothing at all.
• Adjust your routine. Take time to make yourself breakfast in the morning, and savor the cooking process.
• Stop opening emails at 2 AM.
• Automate rote, repetitive, time-consuming tasks. There are programs to automate everything from booking clients to handling invoices and contracts.

Your mindset matters. You matter. When you take care of yourself, and try to look at the world through the positive mindsets we’ve described, you and your business will thrive. 

You’re a talented barber with a passion for service and big ambitions. You’ve decided to open your own barbershop. Congratulations! You’ve taken the first step toward creating something unique and truly yours. The rewards you can reap are incredible: creative freedom, economic freedom, and the ability to truly make a difference in people’s lives. Getting started can be complex; we’re here for you. In this guide, we’re going to look at:

• Taking the leap
• Finding a space for your barbershop
• Creating your brand
• Budgets & costs
• The legal stuff
• Hiring staff
• Promoting your barbershop
• Building your client base
• Finding efficiencies

That’s a lot to cover, so let’s dive right in!

Taking the Leap

You’ve already taken the first step – deciding you want to start your own barbershop. The next step is taking the leap.

There’s an old saying – “Look before you leap”. At some point, you’re going to have to dive in, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t gather your bearings first. Work hard to get enough cash to start the business (more on that in the Budget section). Make a business plan. Talk to other barbers in your community. Tell current clients about your plans (if you don’t have a clause in your current contract that bars you from doing so).

Most of all – believe in yourself. There’s a reason you want to do this. Follow your dreams and passion. We’re here to support you – we believe in you.

Setting Up Shop

There are so many different places you can set up shop – which one you choose will depend a lot on your budget, your current client base, and your area.

Let’s start with the least expensive option: starting your barbershop business out of your own home! There’s a lot of obvious advantages to this route: much lower overhead, no commute to work, and a comfortable environment for your clients. The cons are obvious too; it’s going to be harder to brand, you’ll have to dedicate a part of your home (or your garage) to your business, and the area you’ll work in is dictated by where you live. That can limit your client growth. Work hard to find and keep clients, though, and you can have a lot of success – check out @redbeardbarber, a barber who’s been using Bookedin for a few years, located on Vancouver Island, Canada. He’s a perfect example of at-home barber success. 

The next option is to rent a commercial space and open up shop there. The easiest way of doing this might be to find a barbershop that’s looking to sell, and buy their business. That comes with a lot of advantages – you might get their old clients, as well as all of their equipment. The disadvantage is that it might limit your ability to rebrand – you might prefer starting with a fresh space.

Starting with a fresh space can cost more – you’ll need to buy all of the furniture, remodel the place, etc. Those of you who are handy, on the other hand, might find this a less expensive and more fulfilling option – to be blessed with magic hands for both renovating and cutting hair is a boon you shouldn’t waste.

Want a bold option some barbers are choosing in this decentralized, digital world? Become a mobile barber, moving from client to client. You’ll save a lot on overhead and rent, and you can find clients anywhere in your area. This option isn’t as tried-and-true as the other two, however – you’ll never pick up walk-ins and might find it more difficult to gain brand recognition.

Brand Power

Building a brand starts with introspection. Who are you? What do you stand for? What are your goals and aspirations? Write these things down – they’re your reasons for opening your own barbershop, and they can help you drive your branding.

During this introspection, you’ll probably come to understand who your target market is – the people who will gravitate to your philosophy and style. They’re who you’re trying to attract with your brand.

Next, you’ll choose your name. Alliteration can work really well here (who could forget a name like Bob’s Burgers?). You might also look for simple imagery – something like “Good Fellow’s Barbershop”. You could name your barbershop after yourself, after the street you’re located on (if you don’t plan on moving, that is!), or something hip like “Deer & Gunn”. No matter what you choose, keep it simple and easy to pronounce. Keep your perfect client in mind – what kinds of images, symbolism, or stories appeal to them? Integrate that into your name.

Your choice of decor and color scheme is going to depend heavily on your name and brand identity. You might start by reading up on color psychology, opting to choose calming colors if you’re looking to create a serene experience, or a monochromatic or contrasting color scheme if you want a bolder look. Most importantly, trust your own tastes – you’re a barber. A master of aesthetics. You’ve got this.

Budgeting

Your budget is going to depend on a wide variety of different factors. How much is real estate in the place you want to open up shop? How much does it cost to incorporate and get all of your legal obligations fulfilled? How much will it cost for all of your equipment? These expenses vary from place to place.

There are, however, a few estimates we can give. Truic and Profitable Venture both estimate that you’ll need approximately $150,000 in the USA or Canada, or £100,000 to start a barbershop in the UK. Some of that cost is for barber school – we’re assuming you’ve got that covered.

Keep in mind that a substantial portion of this cost is to pay for rent (usually around a quarter or a third of your total costs). Another important consideration is the cost of equipment and staff. 

Staff might not be an important cost to you if you’re just starting out and you want to operate as a solo practitioner to begin with. The cost of rent can be virtually eliminated if you want to open up shop in your own home, or if you decide to take the mobile route. As for equipment, you can try to find used equipment from a barbershop that’s about to close, or look for equipment that’s on sale.

This all to say, while $100,000-$150,000 might seem like a lot, don’t let it be a barrier to your dreams. You can find ways to lower your costs, and with a great business plan, you can find a starter loan to build your dreams.

via GIPHY

The Legal Stuff

We can’t elaborate on this too much, because what you’ll need to do varies so much based on location. You’re going to need to look at local by-laws, as well as state (or provincial) and federal laws. Getting a lawyer is an excellent idea to make sure you’ve dotted all of your I’s and crossed all your T’s. Display your license prominently somewhere in the business; you wouldn’t want to get your haircut by anyone but a licensed barber, would you? 

Get Those Clients!

You’ve set up shop, you’ve got a beautiful sign to let people know who you are, and you’re ready to start taking on new clients. You’ve probably worked at other barbershops before, and hopefully you have a list of clients who can’t wait for you to cut their hair. It’s time to expand your reach.

First, your website. You can do a website inexpensively and have it look amazing. Trust us. Tools like WordPress make it easy to promote your shop, and tools like Bookedin make it easy for you to book appointments and to accept payment – no matter how your customers want to pay. Keep your website consistent with your branding: your logo and colors should be on display. A “Book Now” page, an About Us page, a Location page, a Home page, and maybe a blog and/or an “Our Services” page – that’s all you need.

Next, let’s talk social media. A huge Instagram following is the holy grail for barbershops – haircuts can look incredible in both video and photo formats, and they tend to do best on Instagram. Of course, it’s worth being on Facebook too, and it’s easy to cross-post between the two. Be sure to post at least once a day, but avoid overposting so you don’t clog up your followers’ feeds. Pictures of your space, your staff, and (of course) the incredible work you’ve done can all help you gain followers. Be sure to engage with your followers, use hashtags on all of your posts – you know the drill.

Finally, there are several things you can do to make sure you’re visible when people search for you. The most important of these is to register your barbershop on Google My Business, Yelp, and other business directories. Basically, when someone looks up “barbershop”, you want them to find you! 

One last note – you can get a lot of business through word of mouth. Encourage your clients to tell their friends and leave reviews. While social media is the premier way of finding clients right now, word of mouth is still invaluable. After all, who do you trust more than friends with great looking haircuts?

Keep Those Clients!

Here’s a quick anecdote – for years, in my early 20s, I went without dental appointments. It’s not that I didn’t want or need them – they just kept falling off the list of things to do. My current dentist always tells me when they can book me next, and we schedule my next appointment as I’m leaving my current appointment.

Follow this philosophy. Your clients want their hair to look great, and if they like what you’ve done, they’ll be happy to book another appointment. You can create repeat clientele by rebooking them as they leave. Just fire up your barber scheduling app and schedule their next appointment – you might even ask them if they want to do recurring appointments to keep them looking stylish all the time.

Some people get nervous about doing this – they feel like it’s too salesy. Trust me; it’s not. Your clients will appreciate you doing this. People are busy, and your appointment booking software can send them reminder texts so they’ll never forget their next haircut with you.

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Grow As Fast As Your Clients’ Hair

Now that your barbershop is well-established, (we’re glad the guide worked!) it’s time to grow your shop. You can do this by:

• Offering retail products
• Expanding your services (non-haircut grooming services, for example)
• Opening new locations
• Adding new chairs and hiring other barbers
• Extending your hours
• Offering higher-priced services (or increasing your prices)

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention our booking software – it’s an awesome way to grow your business. Using Bookedin, you can get clients to book appointments directly through your website and your social media, so people who are casually browsing cool haircuts at 3 AM can book with you right away. 

“You have to be burning with an idea, or a problem, or a wrong that you want to right. If you’re not passionate enough from the start, you’ll never stick it out.” —Steve Jobs

Oh, Steve.

*Follow your passion* is a super sexy-sounding mantra. I’ll give it that.

It’s also completely devoid of direction.

You’re led to believe one day you’ll be strolling down a deserted sidewalk, when out of nowhere, BAM!

Hit with a lightning bolt from above—THIS IS WHAT I’M MEANT TO DO WITH MY LIFE!

Except, you’re not living out a scene in some b-rated Lifetime movie. This is the real world, baby. With a mountain of bills to pay and mouths to feed.

Being told to “follow your passion” by every millionaire CEO? Not helpful. It’s borderline rage-inducing.

So we’re breaking down the five colossal hoaxes that is *following your passion.* And to really drive it home, we’ll also be exploring the three main reasons you’ll find more success chasing after your talent.

Hoax #1 – All you need is *enough* passion

“The things I ended up being really good at were the things I found myself putting effort into. A lot of people talk about passion, but that’s really not what you need to focus on. You really need to evaluate and say, ‘Okay, where am I putting in my time?’” – Mark Cuban

If you’re nodding in agreement with Mark Cuban, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, that message ^^^ is not the status quo. {HINT: it’s more like the gag-inducing meme above}

The message blasted over the loudspeaker? “All you need is a mega dose of passion, and everything will be fine.” Sadly, untrue.

Think about it this way:

Since as far back as you can remember, you’ve been *the friend* who styles everyone’s hair before the big night out. You’ve followed every stylist under the sun on Insta. And know what’s trending before it’s mainstream. So, you think—A-HA! Styling hair. That’s is my passion.

But then you get hired at a salon. You aren’t keen on the people you work with, the pay’s meh—and the hours? Not exactly the lifestyle you’d been shooting for.

All of a sudden you’ve lost the *passion* for hairstyling.

It doesn’t require a genius IQ to realize feeling fulfilled at your job takes more than passion, it’s:

Credit: 80,000 Hours Career Guide

1. Work you’re good at
2. A career/job that helps others
3. Supportive conditions: engaging work that lets you enter a state of flow; supportive teammates; fair pay; and work that fits your personal life.

And I’d be letting it slide if we didn’t talk about the even darker side of blindly following your passion. You know—the one that’s spurred on by quotes like: “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

I don’t know about you but when I was younger I wanted to be a rockstar, a dog and Jem from the Holograms. And I had boatloads of passion. But that didn’t get me onstage or magically turn me into a pound puppy.

Sarcasm aside, you need to consider these three things before throwing caution to the wind:

1. Can my passion turn into a career or business?
2. Am I able to perform it at a professional level? {Just because you like something doesn’t make you any good at it}
3. Do I want the pressure to perform at a professional level?

Spoiler alert: most of the time the answer is no. If you love playing baseball, guitar, or singing karaoke… that’s awesomesauce.

But down here in the land of *bills-gotta-be-paid-every-month,* it’s not likely going to transition to a wildly successful career. Passion or no passion.

Related → The 10 Commandments of Creating a Business You Love

Hoax #2 – You’ll get struck with a raging passion

Despite the hours you spend reading the latest self-help book, or click-bait blog {Turning Your Passion Project to a Seven Figure Business }… you still find yourself hunting for that internal flame.

Here’s the truth: you do have a unique combination of talents. It might take a while before you realize what they are, or how you can use them — but they’re in there.

However, if you’re waiting for a voice-over style insight about your passion—there’s a good chance you’ll be met with silence.

That’s right. No inner voice booming with *your why*. No lightning bolt that strikes or flash leaving you buzzing with an epiphany to illuminate your path forward.

That’s why it’s frustrating when legit industry leaders ask you to *go within* and listen to some all-knowing inner voice that may never appear. THE RESULT: you feel like a failure.

And you’re not alone. Many people struggle to uncover a career-relevant passion. Yet most of us have no idea what we’re passionate about, or what kind of job we could love so much it never feels like work.

Let’s say you find joy tattooing your clients, but grind your teeth when it comes to organizing the shop {appointment scheduling software, filing taxes, managing social media}. Does that mean you’re a failure for not finding a career you love completely?

No. No. No. Nope.

You are not your work. And your work is not you.

It’s possible to find work you’re passionate about… or at least parts of it. The truth is, all careers & businesses are dichotomies of passion & hate. That’s what makes life interesting.

Related → Stop Worrying About Growth And Start Living Your Life

Hoax #3 – Passion is a static state

^^^ How realistic is this

According to a recent Stanford research paper the major flaw with *following your passion* is the theory you either have a passion or you don’t. And that your passions don’t change as you move through life.

Basically, you’re living with a “fixed mindset.”

The problem with this premise is the belief you’ll either fall ass-backward into your passion or you won’t… that the discovery is kismet.

“People are often told to find their passion as though passions and interests are pre-formed and must simply be discovered.” In the end, “urging people to find their passion may lead them to put all their eggs in one basket but then to drop that basket when it becomes difficult to carry.”

In other words, chasing a singular passion tends to make you less satisfied at work. Less likely to try and overcome obstacles because—no huge shocker here—work is often challenging, exhausting, and makes you want to throw in the towel.

Not convinced? Let’s look outside of your chosen career for a moment to get some perspective.

Think back to ten years ago. What was your taste in music, movies— even food? Depending on your current age, hot dogs with ketchup may have been your go-to dinner {no judgment }. But now you most-likely have the palate of *someone-worried-about-their-health.* Things change. Your excitement for new things expands & multiples as you realize there are innumerable options out in the world.

Now, if you look back at your career what do you see?

A decade ago you were excited to rent a chair in someone else’s shop. At the beginning of your journey as a lash specialist, it seemed like the bee’s knees. #finallymadeit

But today? Well, now you’ve opened your shop and have two full-time employees. The thought of working for someone else gives you the willies. Even though dealing with the headaches of shop ownership isn’t *pop-champagne-worthy,* the trade-off is worth it.

Your *passions* are always changing. Why? Because as a creative human, you never stop evolving. You’re growing, shifting & making more informed decisions.

Hoax #4 – Following your passion will drive you to succeed

When that alarm starts blaring after another fitful night of sleep {I mean, 2020… come on}, are you all:

“Damn, I feel so PASSIONATE today!”

Is that what catapults you out of bed, ready to slay the 64th day in July? Unlikely. The reason you throw back the covers and face the day? Money, responsibility, pride, determination… I could go on for ages before landing on passion.

But the message behind the megaphone? If you want to experience life with the same vigor as a *5-year-old-on-Christmas-morning*—then the one and only answer is passion.

For argument’s sake, let’s say you’ve somehow managed to uncover a profitable passion, and you excel at it. You’re a person who loves to take photos, photographs as well as Danny Clinch and decides to make a go of it. Makes sense, right? You should have a good chance at it since you’re an incredible photographer. Your passion can be profitable, and you’re talented.

Now, here’s where things get interesting.

You’ll need to build a website, get the proper equipment, figure out how to run a business, and manage appointment scheduling. You’ll have to give up your weekends and enter an already over-saturated market. Become a master of social media and understand the art of branding to stand out. Not to mention—deal with everyone from parents to brides to babies.

Hmmm— I wonder if you considered allllll of this when you set off to pursue your *passion for photography.* After all, most of these activities, ^^^ aren’t related to photography – the skill you excel at.

You see, if you haven’t looked at the reality of pursuing your passion as a business, it’s going to hit you like a ton of bricks. And when you pair that blindspot with a fixed mindset, you’re liable to drop the dream as quickly as you picked it up… because I mean … it just wasn’t meant to be.

Related → A Positive Mindset in Business: 21 Tips for a Balanced Life

Hoax #5 – Passion will bring you truckloads of cash

^^^ Said the millionaire. WHO’S STILL TOURING. With ticket prices well $100.

A lot of you are *creatives* in the most successful sense of the word. Working hard to keep food on the table and shelter over your head. Because unless you have a trust fund waiting for you—a job that exists in reality—is the only way that’s going to happen.

If you choose to put your interests (AKA your *passions*) before market demands, you’re more likely to end up with a pile of bills stamped *past due* on your kitchen table than picking out your new 2022 Range Rover.

Passion projects can take years to pay off financially—if ever. You’ve heard about them all: the script that’s gonna sell, the record contract rolling in any day, or that book proposal about to get picked up.

“Passion is not something you follow. Passion is something that will follow you as you put in the hard work to become valuable to the world.” – Cal Newport

In truth, passion and profit aren’t usually aligned. The things you love to do – hobbies, rallying for causes you care about – rarely support your lifestyle. Last time I checked, they cost money. But that’s not why you feel driven to do them.

Passions are things we do to feel good inside. We do them for fun. We do them for a challenge. We don’t do them for money.

Now that we’ve covered the five hoaxes, let’s set foot back into reality with three ways you can follow your talent instead.

Reality Bites #1 – Follow your talent

“We are told that talent creates opportunity, yet it is desire that creates talent.” Bruce Lee

Raise your hand if you’ve heard this one before — “Oh you’re so lucky! You must love being able to do tattoos all the time. You loved art in high school, this must be a dream!” *replace art with doing my makeup, playing with hair, painting nails, going to the gym… get the picture?

OK, maybe not those exact words, but you catch my drift.

Trouble is, the *art* is work — grueling, back-breaking, migraine-inducing work.

Let’s look at some examples to flesh this out:

• A makeup artist who gets up at 4 am on Saturday & Sunday to work for hours on sleep-deprived, anxious bridal parties.
• The tattoo artist who works 8 hours a day, hunched over, tattooing clients who are squirming in pain.
• The hairstylist whose hand cramps, feet hurt, and spends too much time picking hair slivers out of her hand during a 10-hour shift.
• A photographer who sees a never-ending lineup of screaming toddlers because *Santa Mini Sessions* pay the bills
• The barber who’s so busy he barely has enough time between clients to eat lunch

None of these ^^^ people love doing the work. Yet, each of them has this itch to keep going. A need to grow.

Improving at a skill is rewarding. There’s joy in being good at something—and the quickest way to find fulfillment is to follow your talent {← not your passion}. If you do something well and combine that with your clients’ needs—you’ll never run out of business. #winner

Here’s how the *real world* works. The more skilled you become, the more your services will be in demand. It’s not a measurement of your *passion.* Clients will clamor for appointments based on your talent. Staff will line up for a spot in your shop because you offer a welcoming environment. Your power comes from your dedication to improving your skills.

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is one key to setting yourself up for success. Ask yourself:

1. What am I good at?
2. What are the majority of people complimenting me on?
3. What personality traits do I have?
4. Can I use this as a competitive advantage?
5. What are my natural abilities?

The sooner you start playing to your strengths, the more time you’ll have to build your competitive advantage and set yourself apart.

Related → How to Quit Your Day Job and Start Your Dream Business

Reality Bites #2 – Make passion follow you

^^^ I think we could all use another Foo Fighters video right now.

Since the birth of social media you’ve been bombarded with *Chase your passion, not your pension* or *If you want to be successful in this world you need to chase your passion, not your paycheck.* And countless other *poke-my-eye-out-now* quotes.

All bullsh*t.

What kind of life do you want to live? Think hard about that one. Where do you want to lay your head at night? How do you want to spend your weekends? Do you want to go on vacation every year?

These questions matter.

Focus on developing a passion, not following one. Find a way to meet the needs of others while meeting your own. That’s what will give your work meaning. Passion may never be the foundation of your career… but it might be its outcome.

When you design your life, you can make your passion follow you.

Want full control over your hours & holidays? Be your own boss. Get a grasp on your strengths {and weaknesses}, prioritize your life, and get to work. Your passion for the work you end up doing will grow as you progress.

You can craft your career to spend more time engaged in the tasks you enjoy. Doing so makes you curious and forces you to grow your strengths. Work with a team that inspires you. Build a business that supports the life you envision—whether that means sticking to a mapped out plan, or pivoting when your needs change.

Related → How to Build a Business that Stands Out (and Thrives)

Reality Bites #3 – Make peace with the real world

This is only gonna hurt a little.

There are going to be days when you’ll hate your career. Work can be unrelenting, boring AF, and clients—more than a little frustrating. But ask yourself this—when did you sign a contract saying your business would be *sunshine and roses* 24/7?

And if you’re somehow able to unlock this magical *passion* within you & combine it with a profitable career… you’re not off the hook yet either. Even if you love what you do, it still feels like work. Pushing toward the one thing you’re passionate about means you have everything to lose. So make peace with the ups and downs.

HOT TIP: You don’t have to love what you do. Liking your work is perfectly fine. Don’t get lost in a false narrative—embrace the reality.

Are you ready to stop living your life based on a bumper sticker?

Want to love what you do? Pick something interesting. Pick something that’ll make you money—something that keeps you curious and creates the lifestyle you crave.

Then crank it up to eleven.

Work your butt off. Don’t stop improving your skills. Use the feeling you get from the small victories as motivation to keep moving forward.

This is how you get to do what you love.

It’s not about following your *passion.* It’s about looking for opportunities to build a life that makes you happy. The passion for your work will follow.

Imagine with me for a second. Your alarm goes off this morning—but rather than groan, roll over and hit snooze—your eyes open and there’s a *feeling* deep in your gut that propels you out of bed.

This is what happiness feels like.

Pretend further that this feeling has been getting stronger over the last few months as you’ve been making significant changes to your business.

You’ve stopped wasting time comparing yourself to others, getting yourself set up with a solid team you trust like family and narrowed in on booking appointment with clients who bring you joy.

How would *this reality,* improve your current situation?

You’d likely stop getting a weekly case of the Sunday Scaries {or Tuesday Terrors}, and be able to focus on growing a successful business, right?

And I bet you’re wondering how you can go from where you are now {covers over your head, hiding in bed} to the freedom of building your dream business.

In a nutshell, that’s what the 10 commandments of creating a business you love will show you.

#1. Thou shalt not shun automation

Your phone starts buzzing the moment you sit down for dinner with your friends… and not a moment sooner. Isn’t that the way it always works?! As your business picks up steam you’re getting messages in your inbox, Instagram DM’s, Facebook messages and now via text. Things are about to get nuts.

Unless you’re in a place where you can hire a personal assistant to *handle it*—the time has come to automate some processes. If you want to continue to love your clients {and you do, right?}, you need to set boundaries.

Enter appointment scheduling software. Imagine for a moment what it would be like for all your appointment booking requests to be in ONE place. Ahhh, I can hear you relaxing. As a growing business, you need to put systems in place that are going to save you time and reduce stress. Burnout does not equal a business you love.

Take the time to review your processes and determine which ones you can replace with automation.

Related → How to Quit Your Day Job and Start Your Dream Business

#2. Thou shalt not live in the past

Here’s the thing, to build your confidence and grow a business you love you need to dream big and try {crazy} things. Risking it all means you’re not always going to reach your goals. Sometimes you might miss by a hair and other times you’re gonna flame out in a blaze of glory.

Instead of stewing on your past {gasp, failures}, think about what you learned and how you can use those lessons to reach your big hairy goals. As the great Johnny Cash once said:

“You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don’t try to forget the mistakes, but you don’t dwell on it. You don’t let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space.”

#3. Thou shalt discover what success means to you

The number-one reason most people feel unsuccessful is they haven’t taken the time to define what they want. What does success look and feel like to you? If you’re scratching your head with confusion, how will you know when you’ve finally made it?

I’ll let you in on this little nugget—it’s not what other people tell you. That’s their vision of success. If you’re taking others ideas and running wild with them, the finish line won’t feel the way you dreamed. You need to take the time to dig deep and find out what drives you to succeed.

Start by making a list:

• How will a *successful* business make you feel?
• What would make it an achievement? {financial freedom, a sense of accomplishment, waking up to calendar full of appointments}?

Then look ahead to what your life will look like once you’ve become *successful.* Where will you live, what will you be doing… you get it. 

Success is an individual concept. Own yours.

#4. Thou shalt not compare yourself to others 

If you’re starting your day by opening up Instagram and Facebook to look at the lives of your competition, I have some news for you… it’s gonna be a crappy day.

We should all know by now, social media has a *rose-colored* filter permeating everyone’s feed. Yet, the more time you spend looking at your bestie’s latest trip to Cabo or your arch enemy’s new 5-series BMW, it hardly matters. The feeling of not measuring up or falling behind is REAL, even if the Instafeed is fake.

The solution? Stop comparing your real journey to a *things have never been better* curated feed. For some of you, that might mean cutting back on the time you spend online {at least for personal use}. For others, it’s getting clear on what success means to you {see above ^^} and blocking out all the unnecessary noise.

Related: Some Practical Thoughts on Impostor Syndrome

#5. Thou shalt not be everything to everyone

As the {cliché} saying goes, you never want to be a *Jack of all trades, master of none.* Ouch. These days clients are looking for experts. Whether that’s a hairstylist, tattoo artist or personal trainer. Clients are looking for someone at the top of their game. An authority who spends time and resources to keep up to date on the latest industry trends and techniques. 

How can you be that person if you’re trying to please everyone? You can’t.

When you focus your business down to your expertise you’ll begin to draw in your dream clients. The ones you’re stoked to work with {Translation: they value your time & skills}.

To build a business you love, you need to attract clients who understand why your prices are higher than the shop down the street. Who appreciate the little extras you do to show you care { <– like online booking, what client doesn’t want to be able to book with you 24/7?!}.

It may take longer to fill your online appointment scheduler with these ideal clients, but the more you show your expertise, the sooner those who dig your vibe will find you.

#6. Thou shalt not do this on your own

There comes a tipping point when you realize if you want to keep growing you can’t do it alone. It’s thrilling and terrifying all at the same time. After relying on yourself for so long, how can you begin to trust someone else?

Rather than look at these changes through a lens of negativity, view it as an opportunity to hire the best and start delegating. Feel the stress melt away as the hours in your day return to normal and you enjoy the benefits a close-knit team brings to the business.

When you combine hiring the right people with improvements in your technology {I’m looking at you appointment scheduling software}, you’ll be kicking yourself that you didn’t take the plunge sooner.

#7. Thou shalt embrace growing slowly

Growing slowly isn’t sexy enough to warrant articles on Forbes or memes on Instagram—but it’s the best way to run your business and stay *in love* with it.

There are lots of ways to look at pumping the breaks. One is to start by offering a small selection of services or even just one and do it really well. As discussed earlier, niching down your expertise will draw in the clients you love and it helps to quickly build loyalty to your business.

You can also slow down when it comes doing *all the things.* Just because your competition has started a YouTube channel, is blowing up on TikTok and holds monthly workshops for clients—doesn’t mean you have to add those to your repertoire. Start slowly and build up as you get comfortable. It’s better to be first-rate at a few things, than half-ass a bundle of them.

#8. Thou shalt focus on only which you love

Seems pretty straight forward, yeah? Then why is it so hard? Part of the struggle is discovering *what* you feel passionate about, enjoy doing and fills up your calendar with clients you love. The second part is keeping your eye on that prize while going through the growing pains everyone experiences no matter how much they *love* their business.

It’s all about perspective. You can choose to focus on how much you detest doing monthly payroll or the anxiety of annual reviews… but isn’t that all part of the ultimate dream?

The big picture’s important when your day to day can feel like a grind. Grease the wheels where you can {hiring a bookkeeper to do your taxes or moving your appointment booking online}. Keep the ultimate goal—a business you love—in the forefront of your mind, that way, these little hiccups will blend into the tapestry of your journey.

#9. Thou shalt not hide your personality

Whether you’re the face of your shop, your business or you’re an independent contractor—you can use the best parts of yourself to draw in clients and keep your online booking calendar jam-packed.

Take some time to reflect on which aspects of your personality shine brightest, and which of those you want to emphasize. Write them down and find ways to infuse them into your online presence. The way you communicate as a business will often be the first point of contact your client/customer has with you. It can be as simple as adding a little bit of your personality within the service descriptions on your online booking page, or sprinkling your vibe into your custom confirmation email.

Once you’ve nailed down the parts of yourself that connect with your client, you’ll find creating content, whether it be a behind-the-scenes video on Instagram or the About page on your website will feel easier since you’re speaking authentically. Infusing your business with the finest parts of yourself will also help you stand out.

There’s no one else like you, and when you start to inject little idiosyncrasies into your business you become memorable and difficult to replicate {buh-bye copycats}.

#10. Thou shalt ignite a spark in each of your days

Do you know why the most successful people in the world have routines? Because they work. It can be a morning or nightly routine, or even something in-between, as long as it gives the balance you need to survive the day.

Even when you’re running a business you love, it’s still tough. There’ll be weeks you put in 80 hours, work 11 days in a row or seem to have a never-ending stream of hateful clients. But, if you have the systems and routines in place to keep you healthy, it’ll pass.

Try to incorporate mindfulness, movement, and mastery into your daily routine in whatever way works best for you. That’s the beauty of living *your* life. You get to decide what stays and what goes. Routines can be fluid and change as your lifestyle and business progress. Finding what keeps you grounded and calm can be life-changing.

If you’re ready to break free from the *comparison club*, focus on your definition of success and build the business of your dreams, start by following “The 10 Commandments of Creating a Business You Love.” Let us know in the comments  if saying sayonara to the *hustle harder, grow fast* model left you feeling more love for your biz. We can’t wait to hear from you!

You want to be successful, don’t you?

Whether you’re the owner of a busy shop, an independent contractor or just starting out as an apprentice…you all share similar ambitions and dreams for the future.

There’s one more commonality bonding you all together—the struggle to balance business and creativity. How do you effectively combine the freedom you find in creating with the structure required of an entrepreneur?

You may be surprised to learn there’s a sweet spot where the two sides of your brain overlap. A place where your integrity, values, and inspiration shake hands with the reality of budgets and sacrifice. That’s the place we’re going to explore here today.

Hands up if you struggle to balance business with your creativity

Yes, there’s a real angel and devil scenario that arises as an entrepreneur balancing the business and creative side when working for yourself.

Are you more comfortable with the creative or structured side of your business? Do you find it overwhelming to reign in your creative ideas? Or, are you so bogged down with training your staff, managing clients and scheduling appointments you have minimal time for imagination?

As shop owners and entrepreneurs, it’s a fragile balancing act between creativity and business. On one side you have the artist: free-spirited, seeking inspiration, and craving unstructured time. While on the other, you have deadlines, opinions and the harsh reality of responsibility.

Even if you’re unable to see it now, a successful business requires a good mix of both.

Three points you need to accept about business…

Number one: The right business lets you be creative

What’s the biggest struggle for most creatives? It’s that push and pull between following your heart {the art} and the reality of needing to make a living.

You may daydream of spending days in a studio painting watercolors, or only tattooing black and grey portraits. But, if you box yourself in too soon, you’re not going to make enough money to sustain yourself. And truth be told, it becomes hard to create when you’re stressed about paying rent.

Rather than spending all your time trying to keep yourself afloat, focus more on growing your business.

By focusing on growth you give yourself more freedom for creativity, not less. Without the stress of scarcity, inspiration will come through in abundance. You can still do this without losing sight of your integrity and values by staying true to yourself.

Related: Stop Worrying About Growth and Start Living Your Life

Number Two: Your *business* brain prevents creative chaos

It’s those great ideas you come up with after a 2 am (après cocktails) chat with your girlfriends. The idea’s a little out there, but the left side of your brain is telling you it just might work.

At this moment your business brain jumps in to tap you on the shoulder and stop you from doing anything drastic. The idea of having your creativity under control might not sound like a good thing, but when it comes to your livelihood, pinning your future on one crazy idea’s not the best move.

Listening to your business brain means you can take a step back from the giddiness of grandiose ideas and measure the likelihood of it’s success before plowing full speed ahead.

When you’re trying to become stable in the creative field, you’ll need both imagination and good business sense to become successful.

Number Three: Protect your creativity using good business sense

When was the last time your art was stolen? You probably don’t need to think too far back. You see, in the digital age, it’s easier than ever to take someone else’s work and pass it off as your own. As excited as you are to share your latest piece, project or website it’s important to get the 411 on how to protect your work before you start sharing with the world.

>>>> Ok…and now for the good stuff {aka how you can excel as a creative in business}

Here are 7 ways to stay in the sweet spot where business and creativity overlap.

1. No one is good at everything…not even you

As an artist, business owner, entrepreneur or a combination of all three, it’s important to take a complete inventory of your strengths and weaknesses along with your core values before you get into the weeds.

Understand what key elements are valuable and necessary for your business (what you need to become successful); check if you’re the right person to take that on (are you an expert?) and move forward with learning that skill or let it go and hire the right person.

For example, do you want to spend all day with your cell phone at your side so you can see how many likes, comments, and reposts you get? Does it interest you to figure out how the algorithm changes every other month? If not, it’s time to hire an expert to do it for you.

Try to figure out how you can optimize your strengths (business + creative) and build up your team to compensate for your *weaknesses.*

2. Don’t push your passion projects to the back-burner

You’ve already made space in your business to be “sensibly” creative. Whether that means making time to sketch, take an art class or spend the money on Anh Co Tran’s “Lived-in Color” training when he next comes to town.

But you need to take it one step further by giving yourself room to create purely to please yourself creatively. To keep your inner flame burning without focusing on your bottom line.

There’s always a time and place to weave in projects that might seem a bit {<== the keyword here is bit} left of center into your business plan because they light you up. Why else would you sacrifice a cushy corporate job for this lifestyle?

Make sure whatever you’re tossing into the fire isn’t going to blow up the house you’ve so carefully built. Being able to balance work that pays the bills with your passion projects is crucial to the success and happiness within your business. There’ll be times when you have to take on clients you don’t want to do early in your career {and let’s face it, later on as well if times get tough} but try to stick to your values and get back on track as quickly as possible.

3. Become a pillar within your community

One way to incorporate creativity into your business is by holding workshops for members of your community who may not be able to afford your services. This is your chance to experiment outside the confines of more structured business and give back at the same time.

Or, you could hold classes or events for up and comers eager to learn new skills and rub elbows with the best in the business. This will give them the chance to network with more experienced entrepreneurs and business owners in a low-risk environment. They’ll feel more comfortable asking questions while building lasting relationships.

Not only will those who attend your events learn some of your sought after techniques, but you’ll stay inspired and become an integral part of your community.

You could offer a theme night at the salon where you teach simple techniques to tame curly hair or a charity event where you offer flash tattoos at a discounted rate. Keep your workshops affordable and focus on encouraging clients of all backgrounds and affluence to attend and interact with each other and your staff.

Related: How to Wow Your Clients: 25 Ways to Stand Out from Your Competition

4. Step outside your comfort zone

Getting into business for yourself is terrifying. Whether that means opening up your first shop or becoming a solo entrepreneur within one. It can feel like a giant risk just taking that initial step—but you can’t stop there.

Becoming complacent within your industry is one of the most common mistakes you can make when you’re trying to make a name for yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in the “safety” of what you’re already great at and not wanting to step outside that box for fear you might stumble and ultimately fall.

No matter how small the shift is, you must push yourself outside your comfort zone as often as possible to evolve your skill set. Whether that means trying a new color technique or taking on an apprentice after years of solid work.

You also need to stack your team with those who have the same drive to improve, stretch their skills and are diversified in their talents. Surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you to grow.

5. Break new ground

Use your creativity to discover new ways of doing things within your business. Industries change when ideas and procedures are challenged by creative thinkers. Your ability to see your business through a unique lense has the potential for greatness, but to get there you’ll need to take calculated risks.

If you find the established ways don’t work, think about how to do it differently. Being a creative business person gives you the freedom to push the status quo. There’s no need to stick to the way things have always been done.

You might make mistakes or stumble along the way. These missteps will force you to look at both sides of the coin (business/creativity) and you’ll ultimately succeed.

6. You’re a zebra in a herd of horses {embrace it}

There are many ways creativity is an asset in business. When you need to stand out in a crowded market (the tattoo industry as an example), using your artistic strengths to set yourself apart in conjunction with your business chops is a winning combination.

For example, you can create an Instagram feed using cohesive images with a custom filter so anyone who lands on your page can identify your brand. Or, you can design a flyer for an upcoming event to hand out at your booth, hand-drawn so anyone who picks it up is immediately blown away. Demonstrating your skills and unique creativity makes you memorable.

Using your business skills and knowledge is always a good thing and it doesn’t mean you’re giving up your creativity to become a suit.

7. Stay on the cutting edge of your industry

I’ve never believed that curiosity killed the cat, how about you? Creative people are curious. You’re open to trying new things, and you’ll embrace untested ideas if you believe it’ll pay off in the end.

This curiosity is priceless in business. It drives you to find new ways of serving your clients that best fit their needs—even when it makes you uncomfortable (ex. Switching from paper-based scheduling to appointment scheduling software).

As a creative business owner, you’ll always be learning, whether it’s about your craft or the industry you practice within because you never want to fall behind the front line. You want to be Steve Jobs, not Bill Gates—you want to innovate.

The myth of selling out as a creative business

Finally, let’s talk about selling out.

Don’t be afraid of being labeled a sell-out. It’s a word that gets thrown around the creative business community with reckless abandon the moment someone begins to see financial success. Usually, this phenomenon occurs within more niche communities (punk rock being one that immediately jumps to mind), however, it’s a common theme many creatives struggle with.

One famous example was surrounding the band Wilco. With a hard-core fan base and already known as “legit” and “credible” aka not radio-friendly, they licensed the rights to several of their songs from their album “Sky Blue Sky” to VW years ago. The blow-back was so hard they released a statement on their website saying:

“As many of you are aware, Volkswagen has recently begun running a series of TV commercials featuring Wilco music,” the statement says. “With the commercial radio airplay route getting more difficult for many bands (including Wilco), we see this as another way to get the music out there.”

I was reminded of this when I read Jeff Tweedy’s biography “Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back). He spoke about whether this ^^^ was “selling out.”

His answer was no. That money paid for his kids’ tuition and provided for his family. Whatever notion you or {in Jeff’s case} your fans have of you staying “local,” “underground,” or the city’s “best-kept secret,” is nonsensical for business.

Making money and becoming successful doesn’t reflect negatively on your talent, your creativity or your street cred as an artist. As an adult with responsibilities, your business needs to make money to survive, no matter how much creativity and art are involved.

Selling out is a game for children.

Finding your sweet spot

Whether this is your tenth year in business or your first day at a new shop, use your left brain to discover innovative ways to stand out within your industry.

If you want to be successful {and I know that you do}, you need to find a way to structure your business so your creativity is an asset, not a liability. Discover your unique combination of inspiration and structure without sacrificing your values and integrity. When you’re able to accomplish this, there’ll be no stopping you.

Let us know, how does creativity give you an advantage in your business? Tell us in the comments .

It begins with doubting yourself privately, and because no one else gives voice to their darkest fears, you start to believe you’re all alone.

Everywhere you look for silent support you’re instead being sold an unattainable idea of success.

When you begin to falter or you’re unable to accomplish as much as your idols splashed across the inter-webs you begin to second-guess yourself. But here are the facts: 70% of successful people have experienced the feelings associated with Impostor Syndrome. Feelings such as fear of failure, perfectionism and self-doubt.

And though it tends to hit women and underrepresented groups the hardest – anyone can be touched by this angel.

Impostor syndrome is one of the dark sides of entrepreneurship we all need to talk about more openly. So today we’re going to take the crappy best friend living inside your head who says mean things about you and call them out for who they really are. Once you can hear and recognize that voice, you’ll be able to do something about it.

What is impostor syndrome?

Impostor syndrome is a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a “fraud”. Despite external evidence of their competence, those experiencing this phenomenon remain convinced that they are frauds, and do not deserve all they have achieved.

When was the last time you heard a little voice in your head saying:

• Why am I here? This must be some sort of a mistake.
• If I can do it…how hard can it be.
• Oh, it’s no big deal. I was in the right place at the right time.
• I’m not as talented as these people.
• Any minute now…someone is going to point at me and say—what are YOU doing here.

You see, impostor syndrome leaves you with a feeling like you snuck in the back door of life’s theater. As if you’ve slithered up on stage and now you’re constantly having to look over your shoulder. You’re convinced the bouncer will be arriving any moment to toss your fraudulent butt out into the alley.

When you feel like a phony, someone who doesn’t believe that the credit they’re getting is really their due, it can have devastating consequences. Unchecked, impostor syndrome can cause: depression, anxiety, addiction, stalled projects, workaholism, severe procrastination, painful perfectionism, and an unhappy life.

Now, for some, impostor syndrome is due in part to a difficult childhood. Witnessing violence, abuse, serious conflict, constant criticism; alcoholic parents. After years of being criticized for not measuring up, you devote your life to being competent in everything you do. But not all of us had terrible childhoods. After all, 70% of people will experience impostor syndrome at some time or another in their lifetime.

Yet, those who suffer from impostor syndrome all share the same belief that if someone really knew them, they’d realize they have no right to be where they are.

For such an epidemic to be at play today there must be some overarching themes each of us sees throughout our lives that confirm our feeling of not being enough, feeling afraid of failing and our fear of not being able to “get out” of situations.

Related: Burnout: Are We on the Road to Ruin?

Let’s examine the lies we’re told today:

Lie #1: We must measure ourselves against someone else’s success.

Lie #2: A successful career leads to a successful life.

Lie #3: You should never air your dirty laundry. (spoiler: your secrets are not dirty)

Lie #4: Extroverts rule the world. (People who succeed in life are out there spreading their story.)

Lie # 5: Women’s worth is directly correlated to their appearance.

Lie #6: There is a level of successful people who just “get it.” (Aka. The Genius)

Lie #7: You can and should always want to be and do more. {<== this is the *best* version of yourself)

You’re sold a warped idea of success over and over again, via social media, magazines and the news. Through these examples, you begin to build a framework for what you need to do to become successful—anything less becomes failure. But, these examples are flawed.

Let’s use the “genius” as an example. Elon Musk and Steve Jobs are held up as entrepreneurs who just get it, men who never once second guess themselves and because of that have reached intangible heights within their industries.

We now take that false “framework” and use it as a measuring stick for ourselves. It’s time for the truth to set us free. We need to live, fail, learn, ask for help and set boundaries.

Here are nine strategies for working through your impostor syndrome:

1. Build an impostor posse

Everyone needs a community they can reach out to when they’re feeling afraid, like a fraud or when they need reminding that they don’t suck. You need other voices that aren’t the ones inside of your own head that can bring you back to reality. Friends and family who give you solid reasons why you deserve the accolades, the promotion or tell you why you’re going to nail that next gig. Make sure you’re there for your group when they need you too.

2. Shine your light out, not in

It’s time to get outside your head as much as possible. Marie Forleo suggests that rather than focusing on your feelings of insecurity, shame, and lack of ability, you need to shine your light (attention) outward and focus on your clients.

What do they need? What do they want? And how can serve and help them? Forcing yourself to focus on your clients will interrupt your internal dialogue and move you to action.

3. Keep a working document of your successes and missteps

It’s important you keep a physical list of both including what you’ve learned. This forces you to look at what really happened and can put things into perspective. Look at it this way. Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. Either way, it’s going to make a great story.

Think about those you admire. They’re not perfect. We love vulnerable people. After all, we trust those that make mistakes. Learn to allow yourself to live and learn.

4. Think your way out

Talking about impostor syndrome is great. But it’s only going to get us so far. To escape the hold it has on us we need to think our way out.

Dr. Valerie Young (author, “The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women), explains: “The only difference between those who have impostor syndrome and those who don’t are different thoughts. You need to think differently.” Easier said than done? Maybe. But no one likes to fail, make mistakes, have an off day, or struggle to master something…the difference here is people with impostor syndrome experience shame when they go through these things.

You need to pay attention to the conversation going on in your head so you can re-frame it. For example:

You’re with a group of artists who are discussing different techniques they’ve used over the years on their clients and they’re comparing images on their phones. Some are showing black + grey work, others color and still other portraits. The person with impostor syndrome says; “My black + grey work is terrible, I need to improve my color and I’ve never done a portrait. I don’t deserve to be here”

It doesn’t help to tell her; “Oh, but you’re so talented! You deserve to be here” You need to say, “It’s OK if you’re not the best at everything.” No one else in that group worries about being amazing at everything.

In reality, feelings are the last thing to change. You need to stop thinking like an impostor to stop feeling like one. Once you’re able to harness your feelings you’ll have impostor *moments* instead of an impostor life.

Related: Why Is “Busy” a Badge of Honor?

5. Share your secret, aka the lie

Why do you think you’re an “impostor?” According to Phil McKinney, retired Chief Technology Officer for Hewlett-Packard and currently CEO at CableLabs it’s because you’re harboring a secret that’s telling you that you’re not good enough.

Once you say it out loud (to yourself or a trusted friend) your future will begin to unfold. It could be that you never graduated from college (Phil’s secret) or your books are full of clients but you’ve only been in the industry for a year so you feel like a fraud.

Whatever your secret (lie) is you think it disqualifies you, so you’ll do anything to protect it. You panic about what the repercussions will be if this “lie” gets out into the public. When in reality, nothing is going to happen. The sooner you can free yourself from the grip of this fantasy, the happier you’ll be.

6. Become a world-class cheerleader

It’s important that you verbalize how awesome those around you are whenever you see them doing well. Become an encourager. Tell your staff or co-workers how great they are—out loud. This simple act of telling them how talented they are will change how they feel about themselves. If you’re looking for an easy way to stop impostor syndrome in its tracks—this is a great place to start.

7. Create an “I’m amazing” file

There’s nothing better than a compliment, as awkward as it can be to accept, it makes you feel incredible and does wonders for your confidence. Why not start a file that’s jam-packed with all the compliments, comments and nice things your clients have said about you? Each time you get an email thanking you for the work you did or a DM saying how nice it was to meet you—save it into a file or print it out so you can refer to it when you’re feeling lost.

8. Don’t let the fear eat you alive

Knowledge is power.

Using that logic, once you acknowledge your *impostor thoughts* you can start to become less afraid of them. Recognize they’re fleeting ideas and try to dig deeper and discover the “what” behind them.

Begin with “What do I feel unqualified for?”

Next step, break it down. What or which parts are you unqualified to do? Look at it and be realistic. You need to get honest. Is it because you have no experience {<== not because you’re impostoring but because you actually don’t have the experience}? Once you’ve made a factual list of what disqualifies you from what you’re fearful of you’ll feel better because the list is never that long.

If, after you’ve gone through this exercise you realize you want to head towards qualification for the new role, task or skill you need to figure out your path by:

• Starting to learn more about what’s required to get to the next level
• Get educated (find resources to help you gain new skills)
• Take it one step at a time (make a plan)

During his TEDx talk in Sydney, Mike Cannon-Brookes, co-founder of software company Atlassian explained real growth and success for yourself are about always questioning your ideas and your knowledge. He stressed that you need to remember:

• It’s OK if you can’t push the eject button. There’s no need to panic. Plan.
• Don’t get paralyzed. Impostor syndrome is only toxic within inaction.
• It’s not about overcoming, it’s about harnessing

You can check out his inspiring 2017 TEDxSydney here.

9. Ask yourself. What advice would I give a friend?

Would you tell your best friend they landed their gig as a stylist at their dream salon out of dumb luck? Not likely. In all honesty, that thought wouldn’t even cross your mind. So why do you insist on telling yourself these lies?

Rather than filling your brain with toxic self-talk, write down the version of the conversation you’d have with your sister—or your husband. The way you talk to others is how you should talk to yourself. You’re far less critical on someone else. Use that as a guide on how to re-frame your inner dialogue.

The unfortunate truth is impostor syndrome doesn’t magically disappear once you reach any peak level of success – most indicators demonstrate it gets worse.

However, if you work hard using the nine strategies outlined above, it’s possible to live a thriving existence with impostor syndrome humming along in the background. As someone who fights the good fight daily, Meredith Peebles (COO, Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation) says you have three advantages:

Intellectual humility. You understand the limits of your own knowledge. Though this may be frustrating until you learn to embrace this, humility will become a superpower when you learn to lean on those around you, building community and partnerships.

You look at situations like an amateur. You’re unafraid to ask questions, so you’ll never stop learning and growing.

Impostor syndrome can push you to action. It’s up to you to do the work.

The problem with destructive or toxic impostor syndrome is it can force you to live inside your mind. Using these strategies you can break free, adapt to the condition and motivate yourself forward into action. You can rest easy knowing that no one will ever point at you and say— you don’t belong here.

Do you struggle with impostor syndrome?

We want to keep the conversation going. Let us what strategies you’ve found helpful in the comments .

A “positive mindset in business” seems like a term you could brush to the side –  trivial and immeasurable in a world that requires hard numbers. With well-worn slogans like, “every cloud has a silver lining,” and “look on the bright side!” it’s hard not to cringe.

If you’re a pessimist by nature, it can be challenging to believe in the power of a positive mindset. But as you juggle multiple roles, managing dozens of tasks, how will you get everything done drowning in negativity?

That’s a trick question. You can’t.

A positive mindset can influence all facets of your life – health (mind + body), work, relationships, and your free time. The good news for all – optimism is a learned behavior. You can train your brain to search for the good in things; it’s never too late to evolve to the sunny side.

To give you a nudge toward the bright side, here are 21 easy tips to keep a positive mindset in business.

1. Give your body and mind a chance to recharge

When you’re first starting – whether it’s running a new business, changing careers or even diving into a passion project – you thrive on pure adrenaline. You’re psyched about all the fresh changes, new ideas, and the bazillion tasks that need to get done. Who needs to sleep?

Well, you do. Your body won’t survive on a diet of hype and excitement alone – you’re bound to run out of gas. Head off potential burnout with a regular sleep schedule and nightly routine that will help you unplug and recharge.

2. Live a lifestyle that embraces movement

It’s easy to shrug off the mind-body connection as senseless, but think back to the last time you had a rotten cold – how did you feel mentally? Or what about on those Saturdays when the shop’s so busy you want to laugh and cry at the same time? Stress can bring on a headache that’ll stop you in your tracks.

So if you know your current physical state affects your mental one, staying active should be an easy decision. Moving your body helps to pump out more feel-good neurotransmitters, known as endorphins, to keep your mood elevated.

Look at leading an active lifestyle as more than going to a Crossfit box a couple of times a week – it’s putting movement and activity into all parts of your day.

3. Get on board with automation, but choose wisely

Automation should make your life easier – not increase your frustration or elevate your stress level. Seek out easy to use tools that manage your time, and facilitate work-life harmony.

If you’re struggling with balance, what would help you flourish? Try to play by the rule of threes. If you have to do the same task three times, automate the process.

For example, if you find yourself spending hours chasing after clients with booking reminders, dealing with no-shows and last-minute cancellations – how about using an appointment scheduling app that will take care of it for you?

With BookedIN you get one easy-to-use appointment scheduling software, so you can offload all those time-consuming tasks and free up your day for more important things.

Related: Is there a perfect scheduling app out there?

4. Learn to laugh at yourself and spread joy

You need to negotiate with clients daily, which can be a serious business – most of the time. Your clients want you to listen to them and be the problem-solver, but it never hurts to inject humor into appropriate situations. Laughing will lower everyone’s stress level and help you communicate in a way that strengthens your relationships rather than breaking them down.

5. Take control of your inner dialogue

You each have a running dialogue inside your head, whether or not it’s evident to you – it’s there. You use that inside voice to pump yourselves up for the big day, run through essential decisions, and weigh out the pros and cons of life.

Problems arise when that self-talk turns to: “You’re not talented enough to make it. No one cares about your opinion. Why are you even trying this?”

Negative self-talk can prevent you from leaping to greatness, shrink your motivation, and drop your mood to an all-time low. The sooner you can recognize the turn your inner dialogue has taken, the quicker you can flip the switch back to positive.

6. You can’t solve the stress you don’t understand

Stressors are different for everyone; you may thrive in a networking environment where you have time to shine, while your friend is hiding in the corner, wishing they could disappear.

And while stress is a natural part of life, triggered often, it can inflict havoc on your mental and physical health. The first step in managing your personal stressors, or stress inducers, is to determine them:

• Work – deadlines, clients, staff conflicts, toxic environment
• Decision – career and life decisions
• Financial – personal, business, debt, bill payments
• Emotional – internal stress (worry, anxiety, fear)
• Social – networking, parties, public speaking
• Physical – sleep deprivation, overwork, overexercising, lack of exercise

Once you’ve identified your triggers, you can take steps to lower their effect on your body:

1. Learn to prioritize
2. Make any necessary lifestyle changes
3. Speak with a professional or trusted friend
4. Develop a resiliency
5. Practice relaxation techniques

7. Avoid falling down the “what if” rabbit hole

Many of you have gotten stuck watching the worst-case scenario thoughts play out on a loop in your brain. The first agonizing step is experiencing the “what ifs” drag on until you reach the most negative outcome. Falling down this rabbit hole teaches you that becoming obsessed with playing all angles is only healthy to a point.

The trouble begins when all you can focus on are the things that might go wrong; it becomes paralyzing.

It’s imperative you stay optimistic that all your hard work will pay off. Once you begin cooking up “end of the world” scenarios your negativity can drag down both you and your business.

8. Embrace the rise and fall of business

Life’s unpredictable – and your lack of control over its ups and downs can make for a bumpy ride. When you’re trying to hold on too tightly to the reins, you’ll soon find yourself stressed, burned out and cynical. Let go of your stranglehold on control and try to live in the moment. When you change your mindset, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that you have better control over your decision making and your business.

Related: Burnout: Are We On the Road to Ruin?

9. Don’t hold yourself to unrealistic standards

It’s human nature to be comparative and competitive with other businesses or industry influencers – but it’s an exercise in futility.

In the age of digital, it’s impossible to tell what’s real and what’s curated, so keeping up with the Joneses’ will only leave you exhausted and dissatisfied. Instead, shift your focus back to your business, your craft, and your journey to prioritize what you need to do for personal success. The most effective comparison? Yesterday you vs. today you-compete against yourself to stay focused.

10. Book time off for a getaway every year

In a 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics report, they determined the average worker with five years of experience at a company receives 15 days of paid vacation. The kicker – only 48% used them.

We may rant about the inequality between North Americans and Europeans (who avg over 30 days vacation a year) vacation policies; but what’s the point if we don’t take them?

Vacation recharges your battery away from the hustle of day to day business. If you find yourself on the verge of burnout, it’s time to get away. When all you do is work, you and your business will suffer the consequences.

When you do take this time for yourself, make it a tech-free holiday. Stay away from all your devices, and that includes laying on the beach scrolling through Insta. Set up an “out of office” message on your phone and email auto-response – only take calls if a real emergency arises. Give clients plenty of notice and delegate essential responsibilities to trusted staff.

11. Dust off that guitar and get ready to jam

What’s your identity outside work? If you’re scratching your head over this question, it’s time to add variety to your life. When you’re done for the day, instead of crashing in front of Netflix and mindlessly scrolling the net – spend the time doing an activity you enjoy.

Whether you play slo-pitch in a local beer league, jam with your friends in an 80’s revival band or fancy yourself the next Bob Ross; outside interests are phenomenal stress relievers and contribute to a positive mindset.

12. Say yes to cocktails on Saturday night

Let’s set the scene. After a stress-filled day at the shop, you finally get home, take off your shoes and flop face down on your bed ready to call it a night – when your phone buzzes. You’re oft-neglected friends are getting together to have a few drinks and chat at a local watering hole.

Your first reaction is, “I’m way too tired for this; I just want to be alone.” You’re over it.

However, seeing friends and family is one of the most effective ways to combat anxiety and stress. Connecting with them will boost you up, not drag you down. Don’t pass up connecting with friends because you have too much on your plate. That plate isn’t going anywhere, and it can often wait until tomorrow.

13. Put a priority on comfort in your workspace

It’s next to impossible to stay positive, focused, and raring to go if your working environment is in shambles. As a creative person, you need to stay motivated and inspired and should have a space to reflect that. Whether that means springing for a supportive chair, those cushy shoes that’ll save your back or injecting nature into your surroundings – you’re worth it. Emphasize keeping your workspace clean, organized, and inviting for you and your clients.

14. Believe in the power of positive thinking (if in doubt, change your perspective)

Think back to the last time you were thrown a major curve ball. How did you react? It’s simple to imagine the worst-case scenario for every situation or to pressure yourself to fix the problem immediately. No matter the case, you need to remain optimistic, reassure yourself that everything will be fine. If you’re struggling with the theory that positive thoughts breed positive outcomes, then perhaps changing your perspective will help.

The next time a crisis arises, ask yourself: “Will this matter in a year? Am I going to remember this in six months?” It’s easy to get caught up in the situation’s urgency, but pressuring yourself won’t solve anything. Crowding your brain with negative thoughts won’t bring about positive results in your life or business, push the doubt away, and get out there.

15. Find a reason to celebrate the small successes daily

Did you crush it with your linework today? Or maybe you had a client interaction that gave you the warm and fuzzies. Reflect on the small wins, focus in on the positive things in your business and life. When you take a moment to ponder daily successes, your mindset shifts to forward-looking, and your stress level decreases.

Reward yourself in a way that’ll stoke your motivation and encourage you to keep going. You need to give yourself a gold star for your wins – don’t rely on feedback from others to be the catalyst for celebration.

15. Foster a culture to thrive (not just survive) in

Build a team of people who want to be there, share a positive mindset, and value genuine connection. When you surround yourself with a staff that thrives on drama, it can destroy your business. Be upfront and honest about your expectations with your staff and encourage a non-judgmental dialogue to keep the lines of communication open. With the right people (clients, team members), you can create magic together.

17. Refocus on the heart of your business

It’s easy to get caught up in the craziness of business, so much, so you lose sight of why you started. Did you open your shop so you’d have the freedom to travel and guest spot more often? Or maybe, you’ve chosen to take on a hectic schedule so you can build up savings for a home.

Know your business values – and live them. At BookedIN, we thought long and hard about ours. They are: lead with empathy, maintain a sense of responsibility and fulfillment, speak with honesty, and place trust in your team. Hire people who embody your values, and let go of those who don’t.

If you’re struggling to list your business’s core values, it’s time to revisit the why behind your dream.

18. Learn from your mistakes and move forward

You all have a tape that tries to play on repeat in your head after you make a mistake. Don’t allow yourself to dwell on the situation. Take a hard look at what happened, take the lessons you need from it, and move forward. You create your life with the decisions you make, big and small, every day. The good news? If you don’t like what you have, you have the power to change it!

Take personal responsibility for the good and bad in your life. Looking behind you won’t alter the past, it’s creating plans to move ahead that will inform your future.

19. Take back the reins on your future (fate be damned)

There will always be times when you want to sit back and complain that “nothing good ever happens to you,” but a negative mindset won’t propel you forward.

You can’t wait for things to happen to you; instead, pick yourself up, go into the world and make something happen. A positive mindset comes from being proactive. Rather than being held down by your crisis, you’ll search for a solution to improve it.

20. The crazy idea just might work (if you stay open-minded)

Psychologist, Barbara L. Fredrickson, Ph. D, released a study showing how negative emotions can narrow your focus and block out the options and choices that surround you; whereas, positive emotions can broaden your attention and thinking.

Prioritize staying open to exciting possibilities, fresh opportunities and “out of left-field” ideas. When you’re flexible, you may stumble upon a better way to get things done. With your new-found positive mindset, you’ll be willing to experiment rather than passing it by.

21. Keep a positive mindset in business to exceed your expectations

It’s hard to be crushing it at life without the motivation and determination you get from working toward those “pie in the sky” goals. However, every adventure has stumbling blocks and this is when you’ll need to harness the power of positivity.

Luckily those with a positive mindset reap the rewards of:

• greater resiliency
• improved decision making
• the power of persuasion (positivity is downright contagious)
• increased energy

Throughout your life you’ll see success, failure, be disappointed and happy-it’s a bumpy ride if you do it right. What matters isn’t the events that happen to you, it’s how you choose to react to them.

Are you ready to dive in the positive side of the pool?

After exploring the impact a positive mindset in business can have, is anything still holding you back? Let us know in the comments.

You can train your brain to find the good in things even if it’s not your natural tendency; it’s all about practice. Give yourself permission to enjoy the benefits of positive thinking and have faith that you’ll push forward and reach your goals no matter the challenges you face.

It’s a hot debate these days on how to go about becoming an expert at something.

In one camp are those who say “talent” is grossly overrated. With dedication and deliberate practice, you can accomplish anything.

Across the pond is the “you’re born with it, or you’re not” camp.

Hours of sacrifice, blood, tears, and practice won’t make you an artist. You need to be driven by natural forces beyond your control.

What does this have to do with the habits of great tattoo artists? Being known as an “expert” pays off – no matter how you get there.

It buoys your reputation, increases your value and boosts your self-confidence to be mastering a skill. Not to mention it gives you credibility and helps you build a business you love.

So, we’re going to look at 7 things great tattoo artists are doing every day as they work towards mastery.

1. Check their personal issues at the door

Let’s face it; in 2019 the majority of our connection comes from a digital community that’s not so warm & fuzzy.

But as tattoo artists, you’re in a unique position. You play the role of sounding board, confidence builder and even healer to your clients in real life. You form a tight bond as you create one of a kind pieces from personal stories, struggles, experiences & memories.

Your clients are earnestly searching for closure by the time they end up in your shop. There’s no room for the drama playing out in your life to rear its ugly head. Finding a way to enter the shop free from anyone’s personal issues will elevate your mood, clear your head and separate your work from the pack.

And hey, when you need to talk, that’s what your hairstylist is for right?

2. Own up to their mistakes

We all make mistakes. You’re not a robot (right?), and neither am I, so until the time comes when we’re all replaced by the machine race we need to accept perfection doesn’t exist.

To state the obvious, tattooing a symbol backward or misspelling a name is terrifying because it’s permanent. There’s no delete button or eraser – but even after you’ve triple checked it happens to the best. Growth occurs between your error and the solution.

The best option is to face the situation head-on (I mean, it’s going to be obvious but don’t ever play the blame game), provide a fix immediately and apologize. You need to swallow your pride and ego; doing whatever you can to make it right.

Related: 30 Things Your Tattoo Artist Wishes You Knew

3. Deliberately practice their art

Malcolm Gladwell famously stated you need at least 10,000 hours to master a skill. Well, oh boy. As tattoo artists, you’re trying to become a virtuoso at many: color theory, drawing, concentration – all on a living, breathing, sweating, target. 10,000 hours is barely scraping the surface.

You need to crave the art of tattooing to be happy. Those who do it, do it for love – not the money, and certainly not the fame. When they’re not tattooing, they’re sketching or trying their hand at painting as a side hustle. They live, eat and breathe the art as a form of self-expression.

Want to save time, smooth out your busy day and improve your client communications? Try BookedIN appointment scheduling software for free.

4. Establish clear boundaries with their clients

Setting clear boundaries should never be considered a bad thing. Respectfully communicate with your clients, treating them how you’d want to be treated. It’s unnecessary to justify why you make the decisions you do in your business, but sometimes sharing a little background information can help your clients understand your situation.

For example, if you have a policy that requires your clients to pay an up-front deposit so they can secure a tattoo appointment, feel free to explain why. Establishing clear boundaries is all about creating habits. If you don’t stand your ground on the policies that mean the most to you, it’ll be hard to rally your clients to respect them or your business.

5. Never stop setting goals

The best tattoo artists aren’t bubbling over with creativity at every moment, and they definitely make mistakes (see #2). The difference maker is they always set concrete goals to improve – even if it’s just by the smallest amount.

No matter where you’re at in your career, evaluate your progress. Think about how you can push yourself further.

Have short term goals you set and shatter in a day, then long term ones you might never fully realize – and be okay with that. Know you’re pushing forward and always progressing towards a target. The most successful tattoo artist will step out of their comfort zone and focus on areas that need improvement.

By avoiding the cocoon of familiarity and continually seeking to improve, you’re ultimately going to reach maximum personal potential.

6. Prioritize their physical and mental health

As tattoo artists, understanding and improving what fuels your work, the part that makes it unique and stands apart from everyone else’s takes time and can be insanely stressful.

Keep your mental health in check by:

• Not letting your job title/career define who you are
• Work on creating the optimal work/life balance for you – it’s different for everyone
• Automate your processes to give your mind a break and save time
• Build a team of support around you
• Do what you love

On the physical side of things, tattooing is back-breaking work – in the most literal sense. When you’re hunching over for hours at a time, it becomes unsustainable if you neglect your body. Staying bendy and healthy is a must-do if tattooing is going to be a lengthy career choice. Those in it for the long haul make time to hit the gym and also toss in some yoga classes now and then.

Related: 9 Lessons for Living a Balanced Life

7. Adapt and embrace change

The times they are a-changin’…and you either hitch your ride to the wagon, or you’re gonna get left behind.

This doesn’t mean you have to give up your values (hold fast to your boundaries) or throw your artistic style out the window. But to stay relevant, you’ll need to move with the times to avoid stagnation.

Research where your clients are hanging out and connect with them in that medium (ex. Instagram vs. Facebook). Or give your clients the option to book appointments with you 24/7 by setting up online scheduling.

Stay current with the newest updates in ink, tools and tattoo trends. You may not be a “walk-in” studio that deals in off the wall flash, but you don’t want to wake up and realize you’re entirely out of the loop.

Now it’s your turn

As a tattoo artist, you’re ultimately competing against yourself to improve over time. Each piece you create is a reflection of your practice, dedication and powerful love for the medium you’ve chosen.

What makes you a great tattoo artist? Let us know in the comments.

The desire to reach perfection is a goal all of us can identify with. The career, the family, the body – we’ve each spent too many hours trying to re-create an “ideal” that’s frankly unattainable. But for many of us, the failure to reach these targets is more than just a blow to our egos.

As perfectionists, our self-worth, value, and esteem are inextricably tied to the unreachable standards we’ve set for ourselves.

Let’s look at 5 ways you can reach high-level achievement without being a perfectionist.

1. Aim for good enough

If reading that title gives you chills, you’re in the right place. As a perfectionist, your expectations at this point will be entirely out of whack, so the thought of setting your standards to “good enough” will be terrifying. But hear me out.

How many times have you started a project only not to see it through because it’s never perfect?

For example, your busy shop needs a website to refer clients to, but you’re procrastinating on taking the first step. You’re unable to explain what you see in your head, and the fear of an unrealized vision is holding you back.

This is where you need to find a balance for yourself. If you aim for good enough, it gives you the flexibility to put your project out there – warts and all – without getting caught up in continually trying to improve, polish and adapt something before launching. This is what’s commonly referred to as progress over perfection.

When you’re continually procrastinating or starting and stopping because you’re waiting until something is perfect, you’re missing out on so many opportunities. Nothing you create is ever final, it can always be tweaked and changed after you release it into the world – but no one will see it if you’re still waiting until it’s “perfect.”

2. Challenge your perfectionism mindset

“You’re not doing it right; let me show you how to do it correctly.”

Does this sound familiar to you? As perfectionists our brains see in terms of “all” or “nothing,” “success” or “failure” and “black” or “white” – we see things as correct or incorrect with little wiggle room, for ourselves or those around us.

This perfectionism mindset is unrealistic in today’s world. Not only do we tend to live day to day in the “grey” zone but forcing yourself to make each decision on such a cutthroat scale can be devastating to your self-confidence and self-worth.

In reality, not one of your peers or role models achieved their success without many bumps in the road. Tattoo artists begin as apprentices with many pieces they’d prefer you not see, barbers have a story to tell about that one cut that went awry – it’s our failures that make us human.

The path to success happens step by step (often going in both directions), not overnight or in an “all or nothing” manner. To overcome this hurdle you need to allow yourself to do things imperfectly and incompletely – no more “pass” vs. “fail.”

Your focus needs to be on how to travel from the beginning through to the end and to focus on each move in between. Be mindful of the progress and failures you’re making along the way so you can learn from those lessons and build your success.

3. Change your goal setting strategy

Did you make a goal list this year? With perfectionism, it’s difficult to choose what potential achievements should be a priority when everything seems important.

Say hello to analysis paralysis. It’s a good friend to perfectionism and a cousin to procrastination. This is the family tree Ancestry.com doesn’t tell you about. With your ability to endlessly focus on the minutiae of each task it can prove impossible to get anything done. You become paralyzed when trying to decide how to move forward on, well anything.

Even though you’re struggling to get started on your goal list for the year, as a perfectionist you’re super attached to what you’ve written down. Often you can see your goals as a representation of your self-worth and set about beating yourself up if you don’t meet the unattainable targets you’ve set for yourself.

So, how do you start not to dread looking at that list? Well, you need to redefine what a goal means to you.

For example, let’s say one of your goals was to increase your income for the year by $8,000 by August 1 by scheduling ten new clients. Your plan for this was to update your online portfolio, adding your appointment scheduling software link to Instagram, and you’ve signed up for a convention in June. Now, if this goal is absolute and you don’t meet the targets you’ve set out for yourself, then you’re a failure. Completely terrible self-talk and as we’ve been discussing, not reaching a goal isn’t representative of your self-worth.

Whereas, if you make your goal a guide, there’s built-in flexibility that you can use as a pathway to success. So, if you end up landing six new clients and bringing in $7500, that’s successful for many different reasons. You can evaluate what did and didn’t work for your next goal-setting session. It also reiterates that you’re more than “success” or “failure.”

Don’t stop setting giant goals for yourself and your business, but remind yourself that achievement isn’t always the most critical factor. You need to readjust your mindset to evaluate and enjoy your progression towards each of your goals.

Related → 8 Ways to Amp up Your Self-Discipline

4. Celebrate the journey

When was the last time you celebrated a mistake? I don’t remember the last time I did. More often than not as perfectionists you don’t focus on celebrating anything. With such high expectations of yourself, you’re rarely satisfied with the final product, even with positive feedback from your clients and mentors.

It’s time to celebrate everything you’re doing. Start living in the moment and acknowledge how capable and worthy you are. That means including perceived mistakes and failures into your celebration as well. Maybe you finally set aside an hour in your day to dedicate to drawing – but you haven’t gotten around to implementing it, just celebrate the first step you took.

Taking the opportunity to focus on what you have, versus what you don’t will make your life so much more enjoyable in the long-term. Teach yourself to value all opportunities (failures and successes) for what they are – chances to be grateful for an experience that lets you learn and grow.

Related → How to Quit Your Day Job and Start Your Dream Business

5. Delegate and move forward

The idea of relying on someone else to handle a portion of your dream may be as appealing as swallowing glass, but the alternative isn’t pretty either. Your inner dialogue is telling you going it alone is more comfortable, faster and the job will get done right if you’re the only one doing it.

But let’s step back into reality for just a sec. There’s a reason people suffer breakdowns, get searing ulcers, and end up sitting alone on Saturday after spending another 16 hour day at work – they don’t want to delegate.

I understand as a single entity you’re able to do everything exactly the way you envision. The thought of relaying instructions to another human; having to deal with their mistakes and the possible communication breakdowns is daunting. But, you need to get over yourself and delegate.

Here are 6 reasons why:

1. To scale your business (add more chairs to your shop for example)
2. Increase your clientele
3. Keep your high standard of work
4. Excel with your clients
5. Maintain quality relationships
6. Stay healthy (physically & mentally)

Look for the people who get you and your business, then train them to help you in the areas you need it. Be clear about your expectations and keep communication open and honest. It’s going to take time to loosen your death grip, but if you don’t, the stress of life is going to force you into early retirement. Be open to the fact that no one will do things exactly as you would, or as you’d expect – and that’s fine.

The goal of delegation is to relinquish control and accept help from others.

Perfection is an impossible outcome

Perfectionism isn’t simply striving to perfect something – your art, your craft, or your game. It’s the drive to improve or repair one’s imperfect self, believing you’re flawed and equating mistakes and failures as a diminishment of your self-worth.

Perfection is an impossible outcome, and those who become preoccupied with it ultimately set themselves up for disappointment. Instead, embrace failure as a learning experience and celebrate your progress over perfection.