How to Become an Entrepreneur in 15 Minutes a Day
If there’s one thing I regularly hear my clients feel is stopping them from launching their business, it’s time. (I know, I’m already resonating, aren’t I?)
Even the most organized, optimistic, and intentional among us (🙋🏻♀️) may struggle with protecting and managing their time. Like trying to hold ice in your hand, the tighter you grasp, the more slippery it becomes. With this (truly awesome) metaphor in mind, I’m hoping this article can offer you some ease and peace of mind!
‘Cause here’s the truth: You don’t need to drop everything you’re doing to launch your business.
You don’t have to pick between motherhood/marriage/family/hobbies/eating/sleeping and becoming your own boss. I certainly didn’t.
You don’t have to rent a cabin in the woods for the duration of the next season, disconnecting yourself from all technology and resources to make your dream biz come to life. (Though, this last one doesn’t sound too bad, especially during the election news cycle, amIright?)
Really, you can make it happen even if you only have 15 minutes a day. And that 15 minutes can be flexible.
Here is a semi-comprehensive business-launching list of what you can accomplish in just 15 minutes.
(Note: Depending on what phase you’re in, you may have already accomplished a lot of these! Hooray! Even more time!)
Start the timer and…
Sign up for Squarespace or your web design platform of choice (but I always recommend Squarespace!)
Research available URLs (I love namecheckr.com) and buy the one you want when you see it!
Create a social media account
Send a business launch email to family and friends to let them know you’re live, baby!
Set up a PayPal Business Account
Commit to your brand colors (Hot design tip: Try to keep it to three!)
Choose your fonts (Hot design tip, again!: Try to keep it to three! Headers 1, Headers 2, and Body text!)
Create your first offer
Price your offer(s)
Draft your elevator pitch
Practice your elevator pitch so you don’t have to think (or panic!) too much when someone asks, “So, what do you do?”
Make a list of content topics you can write an article on or post about on social media
Identify resources in your network who might have answers to some of your questions (and use tomorrow’s 15 minutes to reach out to them)!
Block off your business time (yup - 15 mins per day!) on your calendar, with a preference for making it a standing appointment that happens at the same time each day. We’re building a habit, lovely!
Make a list of business priorities for the upcoming week so you know what needs to happen when
Give your accountability partner an update on you and your biz-status
Go live on Instagram to talk about something related to your future biz
Write 1 social media post (yup, that should be all the time you need to start and finish it!)
Write the first half an article or blog post (and write the second half during your 15 minutes tomorrow)!
Draft or update your bio
Design your business cards
Get your physical supplies in order and/or clean your workspace, and also know when you’re doing this to procrastinate and pick any other thing on this list to do instead
Send 1 pitch to someone in your network
Follow up with a prospective client
Schedule a client consultation call
Draft the copy on one (or many) of your webpages
Choose a Newsletter Opt-In Freebie and outline what it will look like
Draft a loose content calendar including holidays, relevant observances, and business days of note
Research networking events and put one on your calendar
Pick a mantra and meditate on it
Write👏 in👏 your👏journal👏
Pick a launch date
Read a business-building article that is relevant to you and do something it tells you to do (ahem)
Phew. Not bad, eh? Stretch it out, and get ready for tomorrow’s next 15 minutes!