Business Donations...How Do You Choose?

     How many times as a business owner have you received a letter, email, phone call, or even a face-to-face meeting about your business supporting a community or school cause.  Over the last two months, I have received some of those communications and it’s hard to decide where and what we as business owners can do to support those in our community. I’m a small business owner and money isn’t always available and my time does equal money. So, I’ve had to look at every donation request as a request for money and where mine is better spent for my business and for my community. Yeah, that’s not easy and is a mouth full.

     I was told by a fellow genealogist that I needed to always consider what type of business I have and make those donations that fit into my business. For instance, as a genealogist, if I’m approached about supporting a local comic book club how does that fit. I could find a way to twist it around and make it fit but it doesn’t work, now if I was an artist and wanted to donate a piece of art then great. That would be a hand-down perfect fit.

     Over the next few Monday’s I’m going to share some of those organizations in my community that has requested support. I will share with you my experience with them.  The events themselves and not only what they received but what I received also.  Even in business, it’s a two-way street and sometimes we need to think a little outside of that box to not only help our business but help those around us. It feels good so think about it and give it a try.  

Midlife Crises in the Business World

I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has experienced the ups and downs of owning your own business. Including in that family, military moves, and good intentions. It's hard to believe at times that I've stepped away from my website, blog postings, and social media when it comes to my company now for almost one full year. I have new and returning clients, and I've given numerous presentations, so my company has been doing well. Let me take a few steps back.

I have a creative crafty side that I missed and wanted to explore again for those of you who have met me and know what I'm like. So, about a year ago, I took a part-time job as a local florist and thoroughly enjoyed meeting with people every day that I worked, building new friendships and possible business relationships.  I worked in a flower shop back in high school, and again during one of our military rotations, creating floral arrangements was something I always enjoyed, creative and crafty. It was like a craft room playground. But, I found that between the hours at the flower shop, mind you, it wasn't part-time anymore, and my client work, things just weren't the same anymore, and I was missing something. So, I needed to take a good hard look at what was happening and find that missing element, fun!

So, it's no big surprise for me genealogy is fun, the researching, the blog postings, writing, and working more with clients. I love doing what I do, finding those missing pieces in a family story. Unlocking a family's history and sharing all the wonderful, funny, shocking, and unique things our ancestors have done. So, I gave a two weeks' notice, yes, that might be viewed as old school, and left that craft room playground. Let's just say that I'm one happy genealogist along with my family, and business is better to boot. I don't know if this saying applies for most, but it works for me "you may think the grass is greener on the other side, but if you take the time to water your own grass, it will be just as green." So, I thought I was missing out on something and took a chance, stepping away from the comfort of my business and my client base. Mind you, I didn't step too far away but enough to get my toes wet and figure out I didn't like it.

If asked if I would do it again and take on a part-time job, I would have to say, "yeah." That might seem a little strange to some, but I guess you could think of it as a midlife crisis in the business world. I felt as if I was missing something, that creative crafty side. I needed to revisit that side of creativity, making floral arrangements, making jewelry or baking, whatever it was I needed and wanted to give it a try. It's important to note that I didn't let my company cease to exist while doing this. I continued to work with clients and give those presentations. Because of that, it was easier for me to discover what that missing element of fun was.             

Good Business Decision

Joining Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce 

Not that long ago, I decided to join the Middletown Chamber of Commerce here in Middletown, Delaware.   As a small business owner, I wasn’t sure where I would fit in or if this was even a good business decision. As of now, I can say my experience has been good, starting with the Business Expo. This event was a fantastic opportunity for me and my business, ARodesky Genealogy. I had a chance to hear so many excellent, fun, and interesting family stories. Plus, I made a few business contacts that have already started to increase my visibility.  The lesson to be learned here is that sometimes it’s good to be a small fish in a big pond. Okay, you can stop laughing. I had to add a “corny” comment.

GenBiz Solutions - Genealogy:"A Mobile Career" Customer Service on the Move

Last month I was asked if I would contribute a blog posting with the 2016 GenBiz Solutions Blog site.  I had to stop and think about what I could contribute.  Their focus is on offering guides and ideas to those genealogists who want to start a business or currently have an established business and ways to increase it.   I took some time to visit their site a couple of times because they have some fabulous guest bloggers who have a wealth of information. After some thought as to what I could possibly contribute, I felt sharing the way I’ve tuned my genealogy business into a “Mobile Career” business was one that could be of some interest.  Who knew I would have so much to share that it would be turned into a series of blog posts?  This whole series is so fun to write, and I’m excited to let you know that the first post was released on Friday, the 20^th of May.   When you’re visiting their site, be sure to read the posts, they all offer some valuable information that I’m sure many will find very useful. 

 

Genealogy: “A Mobile Career” – Customer Service on the Move[Editor’s Note:  Professional genealogist Angie Rodesky is the owner of ARodesky Genealogy.]

Series Introduction – Genealogy: “A Mobile Career”Moving to a new city, state, or country for that matter can be exciting and scary all in the same breath. Now having to add the relocation of your business into that move mix can add some extra anxiety. What is that old saying, “Don’t sweat the small stuff”? Well, that doesn’t work in this scenario. There isn’t anything small about making a move like this, especially when you have an established genealogy business. Not only do you have to........(more) 

 

Shaking a Leg

Some might feel as if this is a strange blog posting title, not really if you know me and what my life has been like this last year.  The last blog post was so long ago, how long you might ask well let’s just say Apple has come out with at least 2 new phones and tables and my favorite Samsung has come out with at least  4 phones, tables and even a talking watch. Okay if the tech reference isn't your cup tea then think of it this way 9+ holidays and 21 family birthdays and anniversaries have passed since my last post.  Yes I’m smacking the back of my own hand for becoming a “slacking genealogy blogger.” 

It has been a while but I have had a few changes and upgrades of my own.  Here’s a little catch up, I accepted the position as the president of the Montgomery County Historical Society in Clarksville, wrote a book that will be released later this year, continued to grow my business with new and returning clients, went through another military deployment, he returned home safely, gave a couple lectures on genealogy and watched three of my children finish their last year as elementary students and watched our oldest finish up his sophomore year.  Okay insert tissue break here. But wait I’m not finished I had to resign my position with the MCHS due to a move. That’s right I’m no longer posting blogs from Tennessee, as a military family we received orders for another move, so I ‘m posting all new blogs from Delaware. 

Now with boxes unpacked, pictures on the walls,  new driver’s license, kids registered at schools, and the welcome mat placed at the front door it’s time to “Shake a Leg” with my work and blogging. This isn't my first military move so I’ve been to this rodeo before, but a move with a home-based business now this is something new.  I have found there are a lot of small and big things that need to be done so I thought I would share some with you, granted this isn't a typical genealogy post but I hope some might find it helpful and some of you might have suggestions.  I did find it a must staying in touch with what’s happening in the genealogy world through social media during this move. Research the area that you will be relocating, find if there is a need for your business in that area and how far out you can market your services. While doing this also look at the different marketing strategies that you have access to, don’t be afraid to try something new. Find out about home-based business licenses, you might find that only one license is needed from your town/county or you might find multiple licenses are needed, town, county and state. While researching license requirements don’t forget to look at your new local tax laws. As much as we all like taxes not every state is the same, for example Delaware is a tax-free state. Now with the discussion of taxes and license out of the way you might want to pull out your old business plan and reevaluate what you have. Face it you are going to need to be some changes some small and some not so small but it’s important to have that updated business plan close by to work from. Don’t forget to update all of your contact information and your social media pages. 

Okay let me lighten this up some; setting up a new office space in your home can be fun and exciting.  You get a chance to reinvent yourself and your office space so take your time and have some fun with it. After all if it’s not a fun atmosphere that we are working in then we won’t want to work. Now that your office is set up, you know your new tax laws; your business license is displayed step outside and network.  Where do you go you might ask, everywhere.  Your neighbors, athletic centers, local church, schools, libraries, your local historical and genealogy societies, shoot visit the local paper they might be interested in showcasing your business , don’t limit yourself to the town you live in look at the county as a whole.  This is a new area for me and I’m sure it was for some of you. I know I’ll hit a few potholes in the road; I’ll just have to come up with creative ways to fill them in or simply drive around.