I just had a revelation this morning. I was thinking about my business and I how I really need to grow it if I am going to make a living from it once my contract with the school district ends and I was thinking about how my sister’s business crashed when the economy crashed. I remember when she graciously allowed me to live with her while I was in start-up mode how she laughed at me and my business planning. She would say, “You don’t need to worry about a website or a business plan. You need CUSTOMERS!” I remember going to my prayer meetings and some of the folks would say, “Shall we pray for customers for you?” And I’d answer, “No, not yet. I’m not ready.” I was very concerned with building a firm foundation. Because God instructed me to start my own Spanish instruction business, I know He has big plans for me. I can’t have a BIG business built on a wobbly foundation. So PLAN I would.
My business is built on the strongest foundation there is. First, God is my CEO. I get my guidance and direction from Him. Second, I developed a firm business plan for which I am now grateful. My business is unique. I designed curriculum for industry-specific Spanish workshops. I researched which businesses could benefit from knowing a little bit of Spanish and then I researched who was already out there doing it. I didn’t want to replicate something that was already offered. So I came up with 4 categories to focus on and have been building from that. That plan has come in handy when people ask if I tutor. I did not develop a business that would have me driving all over the South Bay for $50/hour to teach one-on-one. In fact, $50/hour is the going rate for tutoring and I have discovered that people don’t even like to pay that. So when I consulted with my CEO, He recommended that I develop semi-private lessons. While I was marketing to construction groups, chiropractors, banks, and homeowners, I still had individuals wanting to work on fluency. I decided it would be more cost-effective and allow for a more dynamic class if I worked with groups of 2-6 people. I’m glad I have a smart CEO in charge.
The other reason I am grateful for my solid business plan, is that I submitted it to the National Association of the Self-employed (NASE) and was awarded a grant that enabled me to purchase the equipment and technology I needed to get my business off the ground. It also supplied the money I needed to pay a professional to develop my website. My homemade one just was not cutting it anymore.
So now I know I have a foundation that is rock solid. My sister who started her business from the ground running, no longer has clients. The economy has taken a turn for the worst and her business of recruiting, hiring and training sales forces has dried out. My business, on the other hand, is moving forward. People realize that if they learn Spanish, they can open themselves up to a market share of millions that was previously untapped by them. Furthermore, individuals who want semi-private lessons can add “2nd language ability/bilingual in English and Spanish” to their résumé. Because the job market is so competitive, every advantage helps, and being bilingual in English/Spanish is certainly one of the best ways to go especially in California.
So if you are thinking about starting a business or you have but are going about it “willy nilly,” remember the parable from Matthew 7:
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24″Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Jesus is using this parable to make the point about listening to his teachings and putting them into practice, not just listening to them, but I find a correlation in business as well: The importance of that firm foundation, in business and in life. I encourage you to listen to Jesus’ teachings and put them into practice. I even recommend you turn to the Father for guidance and direction. He is the most perfect, divine Father and will not steer you wrong. It may be an uphill battle sometimes, but he will be with you every step of the way, carrying you sometimes if need be. Yes, you can start a business with NO budget if God is your Father. After all, he is the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills. (See Psalm 50:10).He will provide for His children and will do so in remarkable ways. Just let Him. Ask Him.
For more information on my business, see: www.hablals.com
For help on your business plan, I recommend Donielle Buie at Gutsy Partners: http://www.gutsypartners.com/
For help on building an affordable website, I recommend Billy Robbins. He can help you grow your business as well: http://makingtheleapmarketing.com/
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Gina Covello has known Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior ever since she accepted Him as a young Catholic girl. Her faith was also influenced by: Young Life, Protestant groups, and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.
After college, she served in the U.S. Peace Corps. During which, like the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32, she decided to do things her way and not follow God’s direction. However, as often happens, when we are not in God’s will, her life quickly became miserable. She realized that she needed to recommit her life to the Lord. She found Abundant Life Christian Fellowship and on her first visit, an African American female was in the pulpit. She knew she had come home! When Patricia Ashley, the preacher, invited those who had “fallen away” to recommit their lives to Jesus, Gina accepted.
Gina hopes to share what she’s learned through studying scripture. The Father genuinely wants what is best for His people. He wants to have an intimate relationship with each us. God wants us to spend eternity with Him because He loves us. When we have the Holy Spirit in us, He becomes the source for direct communication with God, our Comforter and our Guide. This gift is available to anybody!
