A Mind of Her Own

[Juliana]

I have decided that instead of waiting around for my husband and his thrift store that will take time and money to get started, I am taking the bull by the horns so to speak and creating something from my mind. I been told many many times that I am an expert in a particular area and I have decided to create a business that will address a constant need for most companies.

I will create a blog, a book, ebooks as well as market my personalized services to businesses and create a program for them to follow.

Trey can work on his thrift store and I will create this business. Together we will reach our goals in a more timely matter.

[Juliana]

I was planning to focus on the retail/restaurant industry. For the blog I will start locally and call out good and bad service as I see it. I hope to generate a following where people are waiting to see where I will turn up next....and will it be a good report or a bad report. What if I could have a famous list...like Mr Black with his fashion list..both good and bad...that everyone would want to be on the right list, and not so much on the bad list. If they made the bad list I would do a check back and see if the service had improved. Kind of like a public Mystery Shopper.

[Adrian]

PS Thought this might be of interest: http://customer-service.alltop.com/

[Adrian]

Sounds great; I like Customer Service because it is broad and in great demand (in fact, one of my new Web 2.0 properties is in the customer service 'sphere') ... on the other hand, that is its archilles heel: perhaps a little too broad and well-covered by other consultants, authors, blogs, etc.

My suggestion: find a niche within the customer service sphere that you can really be an expert in (and, you can broaden from there). For example, a friend of mine specializes in Customer Service for the Liquor and Beverage Industries ... you would agree, a pretty 'tight' niche. He (and you) can easily broaden from there ... but, right now, it's keeping him pretty busy.

BTW: He has two books, and a blog, which he sees as his 'business cards' rather than a means to make money.

[Trey & Juliana]

Well first of all, this is my plan. I am an expert at customer service. In fact the company I work for actually had me come up with the customer service training program for them and I have won customer service awards from other companies I have worked for in the past.

I plan to write a customer service blog that where I write about good and bad customer service I receive. I also plan to write a how to be the best book, and come up with a customer service training program that I can sell. I bet companies would pay to have me come in and observe and then help with customer service issues they have.


Trey is definitely on the same page and agrees with me having this company. I don't think start up costs will be all that much...starting a blog is free and so is writing a book. The most difficult part will be selling my services and book. but that will not be for a while. I have no plans to quit my job any time soon.

This is the month we stop putting my salary into the business we currently have. It has to be self sufficient so we can start paying down all of our debt so we can get that house and stop paying rent!

We need to get our swap meet store turned into our Thrift Store. I am letting Trey make most of the decisions on that with very little input from me. This is his baby. The Consulting Business will be all my baby.

[Adrian]

Sounds great, Juliana .... you have tied all the pieces together: identify an area of actual or potential expertise => build some 'intellectual property' around it (book, blog content) => build a 'Juliana Brand' (again, via book; blog; marketing/PR activities) => create a business around the 'brand' => eventual exit (?) to reach your Number.

As with Lee, I would love to hear more. In the meantime, two questions/cautions:

1. Is Trey onside? Needless to say, you must support each other in your ventures ....

.... and, you never know when you may need the other person's financial support. For example, we largely lived off my wife's income while I was building my business internationally ... you may need Trey's Thrift Store income, as he may eventually need yours to later expand his business nationally ;)

2. Have you got the mutual commitment, capability, resources, etc to start TWO businesses in parallel (thrift store and 'consulting' business)? Or, do you have to stage this e.g. help Trey start his store and do your blog/book building in the background (or vice versa)?

Remember, we're all here to help ... good luck!

[Lee Martin]

Sounds good tell me more. What is this particular area you are an expert in?