Small Businesses Archives - Page 7 of 8

Spotlight: Victor Cardero Wins Adobe XD Contest

Posted on August 6, 2020August 7, 2020 by Odette Fernandez

Victor Cardero, congratulations! We are so proud of you!

The Utility Avenue team is celebrating today. One of our own, Victor Cardero, just won an Adobe XD contest in the Dribbble platform.

In our Weekly Spotlight, we share his journey as a designer, and in the words of our CEO, Norge Matos, this is Victor Cardero.

“You rarely find someone who works faster on a project than the head of it. When this occurs, their work is rarely quantitatively and qualitatively good. If that ever happens, you have found someone who deserves trust and support. I have had the good fortune to find rare individuals with these characteristics, and Victor is an excellent example. He is one of those colleagues you should never let go.”

What can you tell us about yourself?

I am Victor Cardero. I am passionate about the relationship between humans and technology.

How did you start in design?

I started while taking Web Programming in the university (UCI: University of Informatics Sciences, an IT center of higher education). After a month, I made an extra effort for what I programmed to look aesthetically beautiful, but I didn’t succeed. Even so, I won a contest on fast layout, only in HTML, in which they took into account both speed and creativity.

A former classmate used to help me clear my doubts. One day, he said: “Install Adobe Photoshop, check this tutorial and follow the instructions. I can’t do things for you.” I thought he was trying to get rid of me, but he was training me. That led to a deep friendship and brotherhood. His name is Pedro Alejandro Hernández, and he greatly influenced me as a designer.

What aspects of your life have influenced your professional goals?

My mother is a born fighter and warrior. Other important figures are my little brother (that’s how I call Pedro, my best friend), Carlos Miguel, and Norge Matos, a mentor, a leader, and a friend at all costs. Plus, the tests I have overcome in this field of UX/UI Design and Creative Design.

What type of design do you like the most?

Web Mobile technology. The design of products and services brings me great passion. I am now more focused on startups.

How does Design complement arts like painting, drawing, photography?

The design of experience in the user interface is the creation of a solution to specific problems that are represented in several shapes or shades. These include the identity colors of the client or the target culture or area. Every element integrated with design has a leading role. It can be a photograph, a text, a button, or a line. Everything has an impact.

How important is Design for the success of a company or project?

A lot. Design is not only visual but also a solution. I recently watched an analysis by an influencer on Instagram about a traffic sign. The sign in question established that no vehicles with trailers could park on the spot. However, the design did not include the elements of prohibition. That confused drivers and made them believe that it WAS OK to park vehicles with trailers in the area. The smallest thing can either be a success or a disaster. That’s why design is essential for everything, from creating the experience to making it visually correct.

How did you get to participate in the Adobe contest?

I check Dribbble every morning. The top bar of ads mentioned Adobe XD, and the link took me to the contest. With only five days left, I wasted one deciding whether to participate or not. Four days before the deadline, I decided to give it a try.

When I set up the design, I didn’t want to create something static. I wanted to represent my design with an animation, which made the challenge even higher. I spent two nights working the interaction, and every single detail. One day before the deadline, I tried to post it, but I got an error message because of the file size allowed by Dribble. This all made me nervous. Fortunately, I was able to lower the size without affecting quality, and I published my project. After days and nights barely resting, I slept for several hours.

How did it feel to win an Adobe contest?

Design is a very competitive field. Seeing the works in the competition and the quality of the participants makes your adrenaline pump. You challenge yourself. Getting the email with the confirmation as the winner of the contest was surprising and gratifying. It made me understand that the jury was pleased and impressed by my presentation.

All the effort was worthwhile.

Do you have any other passion?

I feel passionate about graphic design, technological devices, and their novelties. I love reading and getting lost in the music and its sounds.

If you were to change something from your professional career, what would it be?

I don’t think I would, but I would get and improve business skills. Design will always be there for me. It is part of everything, from everyday life to the most complex aspects of the job. People mock designers by saying: “You see everything in layers.” (Chuckles).

What is your main professional dream?

To influence my generation as much as I can with my skills, gifts, and opportunities. Serving other people brings a level of satisfaction that cannot be compared to anything.

Future plans?

There are many ambitious projects in the oven.

What challenges lay ahead for you?

To keep growing, maturing, perfecting, learning, and working very hard for the goals I have set for myself. This includes not only the professional part but also my family, which is a fundamental foundation.

Anything you would like to add?

Never stop dreaming and working to make those dreams come true. Discipline and consistency open doors that cannot be opened otherwise. I want to thank God for all these opportunities in my life, and also the Utility Avenue Marketing Team. You guys are an essential influence with your effort, consistency, and unconditional love.

Victor Cardero’s Contact Info

Website: https://www.dribbble.com/victorcardero/
Email: vmcardero@gmail.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorcardero/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorcardero/

______________________

Utility Avenue’s Spotlight focuses on promoting inspiring businesses every week. For a chance to be interviewed, contact us at support@utilityavenue.com with the subject Spotlight.

Thriving Businesses in Times of Coronavirus

Posted on August 2, 2020August 2, 2020 by Odette Fernandez

Thriving businesses in times of coronavirus.

Last week, we addressed how the coronavirus pandemic has affected the economy both in the US and globally. We also spoke about its impact on the small business industry and the entrepreneurs. Many of them found themselves in a logjam. Yet, individual businesses have managed not only to stay afloat but also to thrive and grow. In many cases, consumer interest skyrocketed, provoking spikes in sales and services. Some of these businesses will remain even after the pandemic is controlled.

This week, we would like to focus on thriving businesses in times of coronavirus.

Some of them were simply Johnny-on-the-spot. Their products and services became essential during the times of outbreak, confinement, social distancing, and recovery. Others managed to thrive because they were resourceful enough to change their strategies and reshape the focus of their business.

The pandemic put the world at risk. The measures taken by governments to control the infection took a toll on both big and small industries. It took a lot of courage, drive, and imagination for them to find ways to thrive through a health crisis.

Thriving businesses in times of coronavirus.

The US Chamber of Commerce offers a list of 15 small businesses that managed to thrive during the pandemic. In a scenario that has seen many companies take a nosedive, others have managed to bloom.

Cleaning services

The outbreak increased the demand for professional cleaning services to sanitize spaces like offices, business locations, and houses. Commercial buildings and medical facilities also started demanding such services, which led to a growth in business. Of course, safety measures were strict: the health of workers and clients and the reputation of the company were at stake.

Delivery services

Fear of contagion, lockdown, and shelter-in-place measures forced people to stay home. Delivery services were the best choice for those who could not or did not want to leave their houses. Although big delivery companies have benefited from this, small local delivery services also experienced growth because of the high demand.

Drive-in movie theaters

According to the US Chamber of Commerce: “One of the most peculiar small business categories that have recently seen success in the coronavirus era is drive-in movie theaters. People can watch a show from their car and provide a way for families to get out of the house.

Owners of drive-in theaters in California, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri all told the Los Angeles Times recently that business had increased in light of coronavirus. While it’s not clear if these drive-in theaters will remain open as many “non-essential businesses” are closed, the coronavirus crisis may reinvigorate these types of businesses in a new period where keeping your distance is encouraged.”

Grocery stores

The social distancing measures included a lockdown for restaurants everywhere. People who were used to eat in restaurants started stacking up on goods to be able to have a good meal at home. Disregarding the size of the business, grocery stores saw an increase in the demand for their products. Also, people have learned their lesson: they will try to have enough groceries at home for this type of emergency.

Liquor and wine stores

The closing of many bars led people to “build” their own at home. That is, stacking up on wine, liquor, and rum to make cocktails, sip or simply have a shot or a nightcap. Although high alcohol consumption is never recommended, a drink every now and then has proven to be effective in dealing with stress. Interestingly, liquor was also useful for making hand sanitizer because of the alcohol contents.

Meal prep delivery services

Those people who did not want to spend too much time in the kitchen and had to stay at home during the pandemic were the main clients of this type of service. Others who had to work remotely and had to deal with children at home found it very difficult to get to cooking as well. As a result, meal prep businesses, whether big or small, saw a significant surge in their demand. This will probably be a trend even after COVID19 is gone because some people who had never used such services before might become clients.

Canned and jarred goods companies

There is no secret for anyone that canned and jarred goods transmit a sense of sterilization. This increases the level of trust consumers may have, and this causes a high demand. Also, canned food lasts much longer than fruit, vegetables, or meat. As long as you keep an eye on the expiring date, it is genius to stack up and store it for a rainy day. When the pandemic struck, some grocery stores had shortages in supplies and canned and jarred products came to the rescue.

Board Game makers and sellers

Confinement led to family time. Many of the people who are parents today grew up without the privileges of cell phones, internet, social media, or Netflix. For many, it was time to remember some of the adventures they had as children. Board games do foster family and friendship bonds and make people relax and enjoy while spending time together. For the more modern type of consumer, video games—mainly the online ones—became a way to escape the realities of quarantine and also interact with people.

More thriving businesses in times of coronavirus.

However, these small businesses are not the only ones making it through this challenging moment. There are other types of companies that are adapting, reassessing, and some even starting as solutions for the everyday problems people face amid the crisis.

Scrubs, gloves, face masks, etc.

Thriving business: mask makers — Face masks, by Sub Dog Design.

The need for protective gear for medical staff and people doing risky jobs is permanent. As concerns over the disease increased, people not related to the healthcare system also started using protective gear. Also, some of the businesses that remained open started needing gloves and face masks. Some people will prefer a beautiful looking mask, and will thus pay more money to look cool while protecting themselves.

Wellness

thriving business sprinkle grace — Wellness Kit, by Sprinkle Grace Co.

Okay, maybe some people were not inclined to put perfume on. But what if these manufacturers are offering them something else, something they need, like say, hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer sales skyrocketed during the first stages of the pandemic, and there is still need. As countries begin to reopen, people have incredibly altered their daily routines, and that includes what they carry when they leave the house. For those who did not have a habit of packing hand sanitizer already, now they do. Businesses that deal with the public directly also need this product. At the same time, some clients will pay more money for a locally-sourced hand sanitizer that is exclusive and on fashion.

Fitness gear and instructors

One of the main concerns was precisely the lack of exercise and physical activity. Others were worried about how obesity could impact their health if the virus struck them. So, fitness instructors and people selling fitness gear had a lot of attention these past few months. For the instructors, given the social distancing measures, it was possible to do their sessions online.

Online book stores

Thriving business: online book store — Built to Serve, by Evan Carmichael

A book is, without question, a great friend. Reading a good book has always been useful for relaxation. It has a good effect on people in both their intellect and their mood. In times of pandemic, reading has become a favorite even for those who thought it was a lost habit. People are reading more. Books are being massively purchased either in digital format or in print.

Therapist

Days, weeks, and months in a lockdown can bring very worrisome side effects. Those might include depression, anxiety, mood swings. So, therapists and counselors became more sought-after. Either by phone or video chat, even group sessions can be carried out on video conference calls.

Final thoughts about thriving businesses in times of coronavirus.

Businesses that have less interaction with clients and whose goods or services became crucial during the pandemic are going to succeed. Online entertainment has seen a peak in consumer interest and consumption as people are home. Protection and safety have also skyrocketed, along with the substitutes for daily leisure activities such as restaurants, cafés, and bars.

However, they are not the only thriving businesses in times of coronavirus. Success will always depend on how well they market themselves, how well they understand people’s needs to meet them, and how well they follow safety measures. The latter is arguably the essential key to success for any small company right now. Some business owners and entrepreneurs have refused to let the pandemic defeat them, and have found alternatives to stay afloat. They are thriving in times of coronavirus.

As long as your business understands the importance of following protocols, you will succeed. Your reputation as someone who values the safety of the clients will be as high as the reputation of your service.

You will get more clients and make more money.

Podcasts for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

Posted on July 30, 2020July 30, 2020 by Odette Fernandez

Podcasts for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners

Podcasts are a very easy way to consume knowledge on the go. If you are working out, or commuting, or driving, it’s easy to get your daily source of inspiration. These are our suggestions.

Podcasts for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

Hyper Conscious Podcast, with Alan Lazaros and Kevin Palmieri

Alan Lazaros and Kevin Palmieri genuinely want to help us become the best version of ourselves. They interview top entrepreneurs and thought leaders and share their life stories. The best lesson is that, when we change the way we think, we change the way we act and the way we live.

Episodes:

#372. Creating your System of Success – LIVE Mastermind.

#380. Dean Graziosi – The Underdog Mentality.

#392. Selling with Integrity – LIVE Mastermind.

#369. Revisiting your 5 Favorite Episodes.

#402. Overcoming Overwhelm – Breath Work Mastermind with Samantha Skelly.

If you want to live a life by design and be the best version of yourself, this podcast is for you.

Building a StoryBrand, with Donald Miller

Donald Miller has carved a name for himself with his marketing approach. In his podcast, he teaches how to clarify our message to improve our business. Right now, we are following his Storybrand framework to update our website (www.utilityavenue.com), and I use his actionable content to update our marketing strategy. The most valuable lesson is that unclear marketing costs because a confused mind says ‘No.‘

Episodes:

#197. Joel Peterson – How to Rebuild your Business After a Crisis.

#187. How to Create a Magical Brand.

#181. The Best of 2019 – Our Biggest Takeaways for Business Leaders.

#130. Aaron James – How to Define What Your Customer Really Wants.

#65. The Framework that Makes Marketing Easy.

If you are a business owner and you want your marketing message to be clear, this podcast is for you.

Youpreneur FM, with Chris Ducker

Youpreneur FM is a weekly podcast that introduces top online business leaders and personal branding entrepreneurs. Topics include how to build a personal brand, how you can market yourself as an industry expert, and how to launch online products and services.

Episodes:

Rank #1: How One Youpreneur Made $100K in 30-Days, with AJ Jomah

Rank #2: How to Create Your First Online Course, with Amy Porterfield

Rank #3: 8 Ways to Finally Start Monetizing Your Personal Brand!

Rank #4: The Quick-Start Guide to FINALLY Getting Started with Your First Virtual Assistant

Rank #5: How to Use Instagram Stories to Build Your Brand & Business

If you are a solopreneur, consultant, blogger, or freelancer, you will love this podcast.

Humans 2.0, with Mark Metry

Once upon a time, Mark Metry couldn’t make direct eye contact with anyone and suffered from social anxiety from health issues & not living the life he was designed to live. Today, he interviews the world’s most successful renowned experts, athletes, CEO’s and talks about mental health, self-improvement, and entrepreneurship. His podcast ranks #96 in the entire world.

Episodes:

289. Gary John Bishop | End Self-Sabotage and do the Work

282. Ishveen Anand | Journey to Inc 100 Top Female Founders

Live Q&A #3 – Mental Health, Side Hustle, and Food.

266. Nir Eyal | Becoming Indistractable in the Age of Distraction

257. Patrick Bet David | Changing the World with Entrepreneurship

If you are shy, or ever suffered from social anxiety, and you want to change that, and take the world by storm, you will love this podcast.

Final words

This is our list of podcasts for entrepreneurs and business owners, but what’s YOUR favorite podcast?

What should we listen to next?

Entrepreneurship and Regulations: A Game of Thrones

Posted on July 19, 2020July 19, 2020 by Odette Fernandez

Entrepreneurship and Regulations

In today’s world, to make things function, there have to be regulations. They are theoretically designed to keep things from getting out of control, but the reality is entirely different. With time, more regulations come to substitute or enhance the existing ones, and they become tools of oppression rather than order.
Regulations are legal instruments to tell you what you can do, how you have to do it, and how far you can go.
This is diametrically opposite to entrepreneurship.

Truth is

– The first goal of a self-employed person is to be their own boss.
– In the United States, there are 57 million freelancers who risk their income monthly to avoid being governed by anyone.
– Ninety-nine percent of the country’s companies are small businesses, hiring almost 50% of the labor force.

The main reason is having no boss.
Nevertheless, regulations grow continuously because the government intends to fix everything by controlling.

For example, a gardener has an accident, and it affects a piece of property. The government issues an order stating that gardeners’ vehicles have to go through two inspections a year. Every mistake a gardener makes brings a new regulation: the kind of tools, the hours, the activities. And then, the prices and the salary of the employees go up.
That is when we start losing authority, and the business starts to go bad.
The saddest part of the story is that those who dictate such regulations are not gardeners. They don’t understand about the smell of fresh grass or petrichor. Above all, legislators never risk their salary or their family. If they are wrong, they don’t suffer.

A gardener can’t make a mistake.

Game of Thrones: the struggles of the entrepreneur:

The entrepreneur is a juggler.

Many Hollywood scripts can be written with the daily life of entrepreneurs. Being an entrepreneur implies high risk. Their bills look like those of a millionaire for a week, and those of a homeless, the next. It’s a rollercoaster.
Restaurant owners work tirelessly to make a dream grow. A client gets there and gets treated like a king. The restaurant is a kingdom, and the owner is the servant. Whether as a jester or a counselor, they have to make that client want to come back.
The entrepreneur spends months, maybe years, building that kingdom. And when everything is going okay, all restaurants get closed because of a virus.
They lose $100,000 in the first month but they hang on and pay. Their employees are friends because they are like a family trying to strive. When they lose another $100,000 in the second month, they can no longer pay. Employees are now delivering food. They now sell precooked and uncooked food and hold online raffles.
They juggle, but they won’t be able to resist the third month.

Clash with the system

When they go see the Mayor, they explain tables meet social distancing requirements, all measures have been taken, and nobody is going to get sick in their castle.
But the Mayor cannot authorize it because not all restaurants are going to do the same. The Mayor is not losing his dream because he has not worked years to accomplish it. He thinks about his political position and what the press will say.

People who don’t take chances, who end up destroying dreams instead of looking out for them are the ones who make regulations. Their decisions are not solutions, at least not for restaurants. The office of the Mayor is a fortress that only protects itself.
And when the year begins, Christmas is over.
The Three Wise Men leave, and another man, the taxman, arrives.
The earnings of three months pay mayors and public employees. Since there are always more regulations, more people have to get paid.

There are over one-third of a million public employees with over hundred-thousand-dollar-a-year salaries in California alone. The people of California—including gardeners, restaurant owners, and locksmiths—pay $45,000,000,000 of salary a year to these government employees. However, in Florida, there are ten times fewer government employees with such wages. California regulates a lot: Florida, not so much.

Forty-five billion dollars to close restaurants: to ruin gardeners.

Entrepreneurship and Regulations: Entrepreneurs pay to get regulated.

And regulators regulate so that entrepreneurs don’t grow.
They believe in good intentions. The truth is power corrupts, and they will not turn in those onerous salaries so easily. It won’t be long before regulations work in their favor. They will ruin the economy if need be, but it will put money in their pockets.
And we are not talking about Venezuela or Argentina.
We are talking about California, with its deficit of $1,000,000,000,000 in pensions; New York, with its budget deficit of $6,000,000,000; Massachusetts, with its per capita debt of $10,000.

An article published in Forbes by Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., says that:
“The best news is that countries can learn from both the good institutions that have allowed other nations to prosper, as well as from mistakes those nations have made. Policymakers’ task—and that of entrepreneurs themselves—is to affirmatively reduce existing and avoid new administrative and regulatory constraints beyond the foundations necessary for the maintenance of the rule of law and sustaining property rights.”

Regulations in the Pandemic

In other words, policymakers should find ways to ease the path of entrepreneurs towards success instead of creating so many restrictive regulations. With the coronavirus pandemic, it becomes more necessary to have fewer regulations.
Weeks go by, and the plan to reopen America seems far-fetched. New positive cases emerge, and the country reaches record numbers. Many entrepreneurs find themselves way below breaking even, paying much more money than the one they are getting (if they are getting any at all).
Some entrepreneurs started their businesses just before the pandemic struck. They took hazardous moves: investments to prepare the location, expensive licenses to perform certain jobs, courses to improve their skills and get certified, transportation, marketing. And many did this by taking loans. Loans that they have to pay back with interest.
Others, on the other hand, were already established businesses. But some of these had their problems: they were reinvesting their money to conduct repairs or to improve the services they provide.

Final words about Entrepreneurship and Regulations

Customers pay, but only a small percentage of it goes to the providers. A substantial portion of the money goes away to pay taxes, permits, licenses, and employees. It also goes to the hands of the very people who are keeping business owners from growing faster and better.
Regulators and policymakers are paid, theoretically, to keep the order and avoid chaos. Instead, they keep entrepreneurs from growing by placing more regulations and making them pay more money and go through more legal paperwork.

Entrepreneurs, jugglers, high-risk professionals, don’t let anyone deceive you: the many regulations are only in the way for you to conquer your dreams.

What’s the Impact of the Free Economy?

Posted on July 12, 2020July 11, 2020 by Odette Fernandez

Impact of the free economy market.

The free market is one of the biggest reasons for the growth of national economies and the global economy. Although it has been demonized, the free market contributes to the development of society and the empowerment of individuals.

Pursuing a free market is a way for governments to relinquish some of the control they have over the economy of their nation. A free market will mean less government control, less red tape, and more empowerment for individuals, groups, and communities. At the same time, it means more net earnings for the people who get the job done.

Last week, we discuss the need for a digital free economy but how does the free market impact society?

How does the free market impact society?

History does not record a single country getting development without a free market.

There are undeniable examples such as South and North Korea, as well as the Federal and the Democratic Republic of Germany. After the war, those countries were divided into two: one with a free market and one with a centralized economy. Both sides started from the very same point of development, with similar human resources and equivalent natural resources. The results were evident: Volkswagen, BMW, Siemens, Adidas, Nestlé, Samsung, Hyundai, LG, Kia. As we can see, the free market enriched and liberated citizens, whereas a centralized economy impoverished them and restricted their freedom.

A centralized economy imposes excessive control over big industries, leaving little to no room for small businesses to thrive and develop. In the process, private companies receive high taxes and very few guarantees, and the growth of the economy slows down. Workers in the big industries don’t make enough money, as the government pays their salaries. Also, they don’t have enough incentive for better production.

Countries with free market economies

The following were all socialist countries, with centralized economies, and they developed after freeing the economy: Czech Republic (2009), Slovakia (2009), Slovenia (2010), Estonia (2011), Latvia (2016) and Lithuania (2019). Another interesting element is the response to Covid-19. The countries with the highest indexes of economic freedom, except for some, have had outstanding responses:

Hong Kong, 0.5% of deaths
Singapore, 0.05%
New Zealand, 1.43%
Switzerland, 5%
Australia, 1.2%

Impact of the free economy market.

The free market empowers the individual.

It also minimizes social frictions. Aunt Jemima, being black, had her pancake debut in 1889, and in 1915 it was the most recognized brand in the United States. Madam C. J. Walker was born in poverty, and by 1916 she was a millionaire. Although it’s generally said that she was the first black female millionaire, it actually was Annie Malone. The index of gender inequality shows how the free market promotes gender equality.

The cultural factor is another influence. It’s no surprise that eight out of the top ten are nordic countries: they are all capitalist and with high degrees of economic freedom. To confirm that, the countries with the most significant freedom are:

Hong Kong
Singapore, 11
New Zealand, 34
Switzerland, 1
Australia, 25

The free market rewards those who create solutions.

It is society the one judging the effectiveness of the proposal, and the one paying its price. As a result, innovation grows indefinitely, increasing productivity and wealth generation.

The graph shows the growth experienced with the emergence of the free market economy. In contrast, those countries or sectors that lack competence get little development. This happens even within free-market economies. Education, for instance, is usually a public benefit. As a result, it hasn’t changed most in a century, even despite the technological advances that could have boosted it.

A free economy reduces armed conflict.

A free economy, contrary to what some say, reduces armed conflict. In primitive societies, tribes would fight each other to get what they needed, until they realized they could trade. One example was the US-Mexico conflict. After the war, the US was seen as Mexico’s worst enemy. A seemingly endless hatred made Río Grande look like an ocean. How was this huge difference solved? With trade. Today, Mexico is one of the member states of NAFTA, and they all benefit from it.

The opposite of the free market is a centralized economy, in which the State has full control. Although the idea of the State being responsible for looking after its people is good, real-life shows something diametrically opposite: the states with too much power restrict freedom, increase poverty and minimize innovation and development. On top of it all, they generate costly wars. The French Revolution created the concept of Levée en masse, which is the popular mobilization to form an army. Not long after, Napoleon had his big campaigns in Europe. The States become more dangerous, the more powerful they are. Nazi Germany is another clear example of this.

A successful business within a free market economy will impact its community.

It will

bring service to locals
create new sources of employment
and even get involved and invest in the improvement of the living conditions of such communities.

They will ultimately help fund a new school, conduct repairs in the local hospital, or repair the streets and roads. And the more it grows, it can become a reason for the community to be proud of, and even a symbol of prosperity.

Walmart’s headquarters are in Bentonville, Arkansas. This is a small town of about 45,000 inhabitants, but unemployment and crime are very low. It also has good schools and affordable housing. So, this is a clear example of how a free market company can have a positive impact on its community.

The free market promotes freedom.

Human rights are born in free societies.

Big centralized States often censor-free media, have significant taxes and blame those who have accumulated wealth for all social issues. This creates a sense of rivalry and contradiction between the working class (the proletariat) and small business owners (the bourgeoisie, the new bourgeoisie, or the new rich). They will pay their employees better than government-run companies or industries.

As a centralized state, there will barely be any criticism about those issues, because all the mainstream media will be government-controlled. Therefore, the possibility of change is slim. Significant taxes on small private businesses will be allegedly used for the development of the nation’s economy. In reality, the objective is keeping those individuals from getting too powerful or too financially independent.

The free market, on the contrary, promotes freedom of speech and thought, reduces taxes, and celebrates wealth generation and innovation. Jemima, Steve Jobs, and Alva Edison are examples of how wealth generates progress.

Final words about the impact of the free economy market

Victor Hugo said, “A day will come when there will be no battlefields, but markets opening to commerce and minds opening to ideas.” The free market is aiming for peace and more development based on ideas and innovation.

A centralized economy will continue to stagnate. This happens, mainly, because such governments tend to become totalitarian, and the citizens will be in a permanent obligation of obedience towards the State so they don’t lose their jobs.

A free-market economy, on the other hand, will grow and strive for a better well being for its citizens. It will grant people full control of their lives and their destiny, and they will depend less on the government. In other words, they will have true freedom.

Transform Your Side Hustle into a Thriving, Profitable Business

Posted on July 9, 2020July 10, 2020 by Odette Fernandez

Transform Your Side Hustle into a Thriving, Profitable Business, by Sarah Rose

Sarah Rose is a worldwide business coach that uses a blend of mindset and business strategy to empower entrepreneurial-minded women In Utility Avenue’s weekly spotlight, she shares insights on how to transform your side hustle into a thriving, profitable business.

Are you tired of doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result, but nothing alters? Are you using old-fashioned tactics and forcing your content, hoping someone will resonate and reach out to you, but you’re getting crickets? Are you losing the passion for the side hustle you thought was going to be lucrative but is getting zero ROI on your time and the money you invested in starting up?

I GET IT.

I was there too, throwing spaghetti at the walls, roaming around in the dark, wondering when and if this thing was EVER GOING TO TAKE OFF.

So what would it be worth for you to pivot your thinking and decide that this is no longer a side hustle, this is your business? And start treating it like one!

When I realized that all these other women out there could figure out how to earn five, six, even seven or eight figures building a business online, then I could do the same! And it’s definitely possible for you, too!

I learned that getting a mentor was the ONLY shortcut to success. So I took a giant step back from my business to invest in courses, programs, mentors, and coaches who could teach me how to cut my learning curve and frustration in half and get where I wanted to go faster.

Get a mentor

Even though I didn’t have the money at the beginning, I found it. I sold things around my house on FB marketplace, in groups, and on Craigslist. I borrowed. I created online products I could sell. I tapped into my resourcefulness and did whatever I had to do to make it happen. Because life is short, I have big goals and dreams that need accomplishing, and no time for excuses.

So if I had it to do all over again, I would have made my first step in hiring a Business Coach or Mentor.

Then get super clear on the bigger vision for your life and business. Know where you want to go so you can reverse engineer and map out your plan to get there. How much is your dream lifestyle going to cost you monthly? Do your research so you know exactly what it’s going to take to become the woman who can be, do and have it all.

Identify who your ideal client is and the problem you solve

It’s important to niche down so that your message resonates with your target audience. If you’re trying to message to everyone, it gets diluted, and you end up reaching no one. Once you have clarity on this, your content will flow from your heart and soul, speaking to the person you would love to work with. You’re building the like-know-and-trust factor, which is attraction marketing at it’s finest. You’ll have friend requests pouring in with leads in your inbox asking how they can work with you instead of the other way around.

Content is king

And when it comes to content, don’t be afraid to share your story and the journey you’re on. People buy people, not companies, products, or services. Stories and images can go a thousand miles, and when you show your vulnerability and behind the scenes of your life as an entrepreneur, you’re creating relatability with your dream clients.

Make sure to clean up your profile and news feed—no drunk photos at the bar; no political or religious posts or conspiracy theories. No spam. Only elegant images and clear content, adding value as to how you can help others. The more value you can add, the more your audience will see you as the expert in your field and want to work with you. Add more value than you think you should!

Get clear about the mission that you’re on

Your mission is the driving force behind your business. It’s bigger than you. It’s your purpose, the reason why you’re here.

Establish your tagline

This is your 8-second elevator pitch when someone asks what you do. Make sure this is in your bio and cover photo so that when your ideal client comes to your page, they know exactly what to expect. If your audience can’t understand right away what you do, they’ll get confused and go somewhere else.

Create a beautiful brand that stands out

Create a beautiful brand that stands out over the noise on social media, and keep all content on-brand. Everything you do online and offline should scream your fabulousness and why your ideal client would want to work with you over anyone else. What sets you apart from everyone else? Capitalize on your gifts, and you’ll get paid just for being you.

Have a DMO

A DMO (Daily Method of Operation) allows you to show up consistently all day every day, gaining more visibility and engagement than ever before. When you’re on purpose, and you have a business plan for your social media, you’ll make even more of an impact.

Network and build relationships

Network and build relationships with others in your industry who can lift you higher. There are so many incredible opportunities to collaborate and widen your reach, be open to ideas, and making new connections. Come from abundance and prosperity rather than a competitive lack mentality. There is enough out there for all of us.

Learn marketing

You’ll need to learn modern marketing strategies and techniques which can be super scary and daunting in the beginning. But once you open your mind to the possibilities, lean in and trust the process, you may just find yourself falling in love with the journey as you tap into your creative zone of genius!

Final thoughts to transform your side hustle into a profitable business.

More than anything, if you’re not having fun, then you’re not doing it right. A few tweaks can make all the difference. So pivot if you must, but don’t ever ever quit. Because you are always on the right path, and your success is inevitable.

If you’d like to dive deeper into the topic, you can find Sarah Rose at www.sarahroseglobal.com or book in a free hour consultation at www.calendly.com/sarahroseglobal.

IG: www.instagram.com/sarahroseglobal

FB: www.facebook.com/sarahroseglobal

www.sarahroseglobal.com

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Utility Avenue’s Spotlight focuses on promoting inspiring businesses every week.
For a chance to be interviewed, contact us at support@utilityavenue.com with the subject Weekly Spotlight.

Spotlight: Sprinkle Grace’s CEO is Five Years Old!

Posted on July 2, 2020July 2, 2020 by Odette Fernandez

Sprinkle Grace

It’s never too early to start creating your future.
Kidpreneurs are an incredible example.

When I first read about Sprinkle Grace, I was so inspired. Grace is only five years old, and she already has a thriving business, with the help of her mom.

Sprinkle Grace Co. is a beauty, lifestyle, and wellness company with two principles in mind: to Sprinkle Grace and spread love. They offer natural products that create solutions, using a natural, minimalist approach.

They are building a holistic brand that will stand the test of time. From essential oil rollers to whipped body butter with essential oils, natural deodorants, natural lip balm, 24K Lip Gloss, hand sanitizer, to diffusers and gemstone jewelry, to their self-authored book, and so many exciting projects.

Who is Grace? How old are you?

I am Grace Avera Pierce, and I am five years old. My birthday is on July 9, so I will be 6.

How does it feel to be a CEO at your age?

I’m pretty excited to be a CEO so young.

I am also an aspiring model and do runway shows in NYC, LA, and Charlotte. During one of our LA trips, I started helping my mom support her company by doing videos, and she decided to help me build my brand.

How was SprinkleGrace Co. born?

In May 2019, we chose to follow my mother’s natural approach to everyday supports, using essential oils. Grace enjoyed making rollers for her bumps and bruises. She would even tell others, “there is an oil for that.”

In June, we formed Sprinkle Grace Co.: a brand that focuses on beauty, lifestyle, and wellness for little girls, their moms, and their grandmas.

Our lifestyle brand developed when we decided to expand our essential oil usage. We combined diffuser beads for essential oils and natural gemstones for daily affirmations to make bracelets. Then, we created our Diffuser and Gemstone Jewelry and 24k Lip Gloss that contain natural gemstone chips.

We also introduced our Sprinkle Grace Lifestyle Series: I AM Book, which allows kids to write their daily affirmations in ten steps.

What were the main challenges at the beginning?

We haven’t had any challenges, just new adventures to conquer. Building a brand while I try to be a kid, and my mom works her full-time job, her businesses, and works on her Ph.D. can be draining at times.

Who was the most supportive of your business?

My family is the most supportive. I love my Grandparents and my Aunt Tammie. They make sure my dreams come true.

What’s the most popular SprinkleGrace product?

Definitely, the Whipped Body Body, the Lip Balm, and the Affirmation Bracelets.
Our products are for little girls, their moms, and their grandmas, but we serve men too. My Dad, Uncle Mo, Uncle Earby, and Uncle James are my biggest male supporters.

What about your wellness brand?

Our Wellness Brand is our new baby.

Being forced to overpay for elderberry gummies during trying times, we decided to make our own Elderberry Honey Lollipops. We partnered with a small whole leaf tea company and a local elderberry company to help boost generational immune systems.

Sprinkle Grace is also doing her part to save the world, with a recycling program, and using 75% glass packaging, which allows our customers to save on future purchases.

Every year that we meet our sales goals, a percentage of our profits will go to helping other kids start their businesses or join the modeling, acting, and runway world. We will also give to worthy kids’ foundations that sprinkle Grace in the community.

What about future projects?

We have a book called “I AM” and want to create more kid authors, so we created Sprinkle Grace Publishing.

We are also focusing on social change by creating Sprinkle Grace Inspires Foundation. This foundation will inspire kid activists to support important causes around the world. The last Thursday of every month, up to 10 kids will meet to have kid discussions leading to change.

What message would you send to kids your age?

I would say to them, choose to inspire others, create a business to get more money, and raise your allowance.

What would you say to your followers in times of coronavirus?

Always wear a mask when you are going outside and wash your hands.

Sprinkle Grace Co. Info

Website: www.sprinklegraceco.com

Facebook – www.facebook.com/sprinklegraceco

Instagram – www.instagram.com/sprinklegraceco

Instagram – www.instagram.com/sprinklegraceinspires

YouTube – www.youtube.com/c/sprinklegrace

Join Sprinkle Grace’s movement promoting natural wellness from the inside out.

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Utility Avenue‘s Spotlight focuses on promoting inspiring businesses every week.
For a chance to be interviewed, contact us at support@utilityavenue.com with the subject Spotlight.

Spotlight: Patricia Rogers’s Message for Entrepreneurs

Posted on June 25, 2020June 27, 2020 by Odette Fernandez

A message for entrepreneurs.

I met Patricia Rogers, CEO of Unity in Service, Inc., at a networking event with Bill Walsh.

She is a business development strategist, best-selling author, and public speaker. She is also an event coordinator and marketer. In Utility Avenue’s weekly spotlight, she sends an empowering message for entrepreneurs to live the dream.

I am a Correctional Lieutenant after 29 years of service in law enforcement. The best decision that I made was the decision to prepare before retiring so that I could finally meet the woman in the mirror.

After reading Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich, I learned that it only takes one sound idea to achieve success, and this was a defining moment for me.

Retiring was my time to discover who I was and why I was put here in the first place. Most rewarding was discovering my talents and hobbies and turning them into a business that would impact the lives of so many. I found that I genuinely had the entrepreneurial spirit. Besides, I have a passion for inspiring the lives of other entrepreneurs.

Unity In Service, Inc. “Where People Need People” was born, doing what I enjoy by setting a platform that allows entrepreneurs to be seen and heard from the stage while developing even more wealth and building relationships that take their businesses to a new level! The annual conferences that we host “Entrepreneurs Living The Dream“ sets a standard for the entrepreneur to leave with more than they came with. We put the spotlight on our participants and attendees because they said YES to the call.

My Passion is spotlighting entrepreneurs and public speakers so that they can be seen and heard by the masses.

I am teaching, encouraging, and providing a stage for them to grow!

People Need People!

Empowering Entrepreneurs To Live The Dream

Technology is the driving force in the world today, but I want to remind you that some old habits are worth hanging onto, such as verbal communication, eye contact, picking up the phone as opposed to an email or a text. Try getting out of the chair that sits in front of the computer! People are waiting on you to get up, suit up, and show up to a LIVE Event!

Networking is one of the fastest ways to build genuine relationships that will take you to a new level in your business and life in general.

People connect with those they get to know, like, and trust. I call that the human touch. Connecting and serving others is invaluable.

Today, I want to leave you with four tips:

Say yes to opportunities that connect with others.
Be authentic and let others get to know the real you.
Communicate effectively and leave an impression.
Network with intention and follow up with a call.

Remember, fulfilling your dreams involves other people, and when other people fulfill their dreams, it involves YOU! As Miles Munroe said, “The value of life is not in its duration, but the value of life is in its donation!”

CEO Patricia Rogers

Email: info@patriciarogers.com

Website: PatriciaRogers360.com

Website: patriciarogers.com/spotlightsyou

PS- Right now, on June 25th, at 3:00 pm, she is hosting her event “Popping Videos Training”, back by popular demand to train about how to use smartphones as a branding tool. Link here in case you want to join.

Utility Avenue’s Spotlight focuses on promoting inspiring businesses every week. For a chance to be interviewed, contact us at support@utilityavenue.com with the subject Weekly Spotlight.