Your post is like a breath of fresh air! Even if you’re not in a rut, this is sage advice. It’s easy to be sucked into the “I could be doing something more financially productive with my time” or “How am I profiting from this?” destructive thoughts.

Here’s my link to my “amazing” creative outlet. I paint these just for fun (and for friends – okay, okay, and me too – to use while being nerdy): http://www.behance.net/gallery/Painted-Miniatures/3212391

I’m so glad I read this as recently themes have been something I’ve become really intrigued by to save time but felt like I would be cheating as a designer to use to .. instead I’ve been using them to get a better idea of the possibilities of how things can be structured.

While coding my first wordpress theme the other day, I decided to use their default theme as a starting point. People who argue that premade themes are a no-no … surely things like wordpress themes all started from people altering the already existing wp template?

Thanks for the tip!

It’s easy to stop marketing when you’ve got lots of business – after all, if you’re busy, then you can’t start on new projects for a couple of weeks (months?) and you don’t want to disappoint new clients by pushing their work out. However, sometimes you have to plant the seed and let it grow before potential business decides to become new business!

Interesting to read about different approaches to starting a business – some of us start out with the business and find the work, and others of us start out with the work and build a business. Either way can work with the proper drive, planning, and execution!

And congratulations on your upcoming expansion plans!

Thanks for the link – great source for anyone needing their questions answered, and to find a mentor!

Always moving forward – you are so correct. Even if it feels like you’re going backwards, progress and shaping yourself (for the better) is always important!

For example, my dad (as I mention above, was a CPA) got me started on QuickBooks last August. For the first 3ish hours, I hated it and cursed his name repeatedly. Now I love it. It’s definitely not pretty like a FreshBooks, but it’s super-sophisticated and keeps track of a ton of details, and my financial preparer (Malcolm, also mentioned above) integrates it easily into his programs for taxes.

Here’s the link in case you want to watch it http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/derek_sivers_keep_your_goals_to_yourself.html

Bye!

One great point you make (that I left out) is know your strengths and weaknesses. You know what you’re good at and you know how to sell that – the makings of a great business! It also sounds like you know what you’re not good at, and hopefully you’ve got some names to refer when you know it’s not a good fit.

Thanks for the info about Chemeketa SBDC – I’ll check out the training!

Excellent advice. If you get a bad feeling, gracefully decline – even if there’s a big price tag involved. Most often, if it seems to good to be true, it is, and if you just don’t get along with a client, refer them to someone else!