Debbie LaChusa

One of the comments I hear most often from my coaching clients and students is that they are struggling to make a living with their business. They're very often in a position where they are in dire need of getting clients or making sales just to pay the bills. And when you're just getting your business off the ground this is to be expected. Because it takes time to get your business up and running and to market and to become known. It's not usually something that happens overnight.

Every time I've launched a new business, I've taken steps to ensure I don't end up in this dire situation. Because there is nothing more stressful than wondering if you're going to be able to pay your bills. Or feeling like if you don't start generating more income fast, you're going to have to give up your dream and go back and get a job.

So what are the steps I've taken? I've always made sure I have a source of income to support me while I'm starting a new business. Eight years ago when I began my marketing consulting business, I negotiated a part-time contract position with the advertising agency I was working with. I continued to work with them part-time while I was building my own business. That contract gave me enough income to get by and to finance the start-up of my new business, while also giving me time to spend on my new business.

I did the same thing when I started 10stepmarketing. I didn't dump my consulting business to start a new business. I started 10stepmarketing on the side, and slowly let consulting clients go as I started to generate new income. In fact, I still do some consulting as I continue to build 10stepmarketing.

By continuing to do work that generates income while I have started and built my two businesses, I have avoided a lot of stress and I've been able to finance the start-up phases and the marketing of my new businesses. For me it's worked well. So if you're currently struggling, you may want to apply this approach to your own life.

(length 3:36 minutes)