{"id":16537,"date":"2020-08-20T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-08-20T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vaabc.com\/blog\/?p=16537"},"modified":"2022-09-01T02:10:44","modified_gmt":"2022-09-01T02:10:44","slug":"business-101-in-a-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vaabc.com\/blog\/business-101-in-a-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"Business 101 in a Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It has always fascinated me to watch retail alcohol license applications come in to ABC Consulting: Restaurants, Day Spas, Taverns, Tastings at Wineries\/ Breweries\/ Meaderies. As we develop a relationship with these applicants, their DREAM comes to life. We begin to understand WHY they decided that THIS was the business to pursue and what makes it UNIQUE and how they will shine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fast Forward to COVID-19 and 2020 — still another layer of excitement happens at ABC Consulting when an application comes across our desk. Why? Because another phenomenon is happening. People ARE starting new businesses—today, because it is a GREAT time to start a business. Seriously! So much is changing and people with an entrepreneurial spirit can visualize a new business model that will be helpful in today’s changing market\/teleworking\/online meeting and online application environment. SO much is changing. Don’t let this scare you. Let it EXCITE YOU. How can you help in today’s new normal? ABC Consulting is excited to see new creativity come our of the businesses we serve and the new business owners stepping up. COVID-19 is forcing people to think of NEW great ideas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skill Gaming is BRAND NEW in Virginia (beCAUSE<\/strong><\/em> of coronavirus). ABC Consulted adapted, researched and created new ways to help our businesses make money. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We are watching food-delivery businesses grow, grocery-delivery businesses get developed, tutors ask for business, homeschooling consultants step up, swimming pool businesses open, new board games get developed, etc. etc. What area can you see a need? Or do you already have an idea and you are not quite sure? <\/p>\n\n\n

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As you begin to brew your new-business idea, think about what opening day for YOUR business idea will look like. Think WAY ahead – because if you make the right decisions, now, you leave yourself room, later, to grow in logical ways. Here are the Top 15 things to know when starting a business (any <\/strong>business, not only the ones that will someday serve alcohol):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Get specific with your mission: Write It Down<\/strong> – your dream location, your financial goals, your work hours, where you\u2019ll work, when you\u2019ll hire, when you\u2019ll expand. This \u201cwhy\u201d of your goals is possibly one of the most important parts of your business and determines the answers to the questions: What do you REALLY want? Why are you really starting your own business? Do you want freedom or to retire younger or to create a different lifestyle or to earn a certain salary? You MUST know your \u201cwhy.\u201d No one is going to stand over you to ensure you reach your daily goals. In fact, no one is going to create the daily goals for you in the first place. This is all up to you. If you have a monthly financial goal, you\u2019ll need to ensure that you do what\u2019s necessary, every single day, or else you won\u2019t reach your goal. If you don\u2019t have the VISION to begin with, the every-day stuff will seem harder.<\/li>
  2. Determine what you are an expert in. Do That<\/strong>. Outsource the rest! Yes, outsourcing costs money. But let\u2019s say that you are not good at invoicing; you could lose so much time fumbling through it and if you don\u2019t bill the correct amount, or inconsistently invoice, you\u2019ll quickly be out of business.<\/li>
  3. Determine a Domain Name <\/strong>for your website and search availability. Here is a site ( https:\/\/www.godaddy.com\/<\/a> ) that I\u2019d recommend to do so. Use your trade name as your domain name (checking this first will help you determine your trade name!). Do some Google searches to make sure someone else is not already using the name you have in mind (especially locally!). Note: the shorter the domain name, the better.<\/li>
  4. Determine your Company Name <\/strong>and trade name. Snag that name on all social media sites.<\/li>
  5. Get your Website Up<\/strong>! You must have one, if you want to be found. Even if it is a one-page How-To-Find-Us, get a website up and live \u2013 before you open.  <\/li>
  6. Add a Blog<\/strong> to your website, at this stage. A blog on your website will increase Search Engine Optimization (SEO). This blog can be cross posted to all your social-media channels \u2013 which drives traffic back to your product on your website! It also shows you as a Subject Matter Expert and someone to trust and communicate with. Lastly, the more *active links that you have, the higher quality the SEO. (if you have 5 social-media channels and don\u2019t post to any of them, it isn\u2019t doing you any good and eventually will make you look like you aren\u2019t even operating!). <\/li>
  7. Register y<\/strong>our company with the VA SCC. https:\/\/vaabc.com\/apply-online\/va-company-formation<\/a><\/li>
  8. Register <\/strong>for your FEIN https:\/\/vaabc.com\/apply-online\/employer-identification-number<\/a><\/li>
  9. Register <\/strong>your trade name, I recommend having a trade name that is different than your LLC name https:\/\/vaabc.com\/apply-online\/trade-name-dba-fictitious-name<\/a><\/li>
  10. By The Way, VA Sales and Use registration is only needed when you start to sell products and charge\/collect sales tax; we can help with this registration when you are closer to opening, for business.<\/li>
  11. Create a plan for Social Media<\/strong>. Plan on having some presence on all relevant Social Media sites and snag your trade name or company name on all that you deem necessary. Create a plan (on paper, with priorities) for having some engagement on every site, using key words on the platforms you\u2019ve chosen. Plan to outsource or dedicate time to managing your social-media outlets. <\/li>
  12. Consider hiring a Business Coach<\/strong>. A coach is so valuable in holding you accountable to your goals. Owning a business is 24-hour a day work. You\u2019ll think about it \u2013 even when sleeping! Because of this potential for burn out, a coach is so very important. If you take on too much, (very easy to do because you\u2019re trying to wear all the hats and save all the money), you\u2019ll quickly become overwhelmed and lose sight of your goals and baby steps to get there.<\/li>
  13. Stay AWAY from negative people<\/strong>! Surround yourself with successful people that cheer you on. There is truth to \u201cYou are who you hang around.\u201d Look around at your circle. See who you spend time and energy on. If this core isn\u2019t successful, positive, go-getters — it may be time to expand your tribe.<\/li>
  14. Know this (if you don’t, already)! Money is currency. Do you know what the word \u201ccurrency\u201d means? To flow, to run (i.e. the circulation of money). You are simply a vessel that money flows through. Don’t stop the flow of money with a mindset of LACK! Always stay positive and optimistic about money<\/strong>. Spending and making money should come easy to you \u2013 especially if you are planning to own your own business. I believe MONEY has ears! Don’t run it off; welcome it!<\/li>
  15. Be grateful<\/strong>! Every single day, wake up and write down what you are grateful for. Be grateful for closed doors and new opportunities. The quickest way to lose money (and subsequently stop the flow) is lack of gratitude. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Let\u2019s discuss Number 2, for one more second. Outsourcing. If you are familiar with business licenses and alcohol licenses, awesome; if not, please hire professionals (like ABC Consulting<\/a>) so that you fill out license applications and registrations in the correct order. This will save you time and ultimately money, in the long run. If you hire ABC Consulting, we\u2019ll walk through the applications as you fill them out and ensure that they are submitted appropriately at the correct time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One Last Gold Nugget: have a good relationship with money before you open your doors. It costs money, heart and time to start a business. Having money, and being able to manage it, healthily, is paramount. This sets you up for good decision making (how much to invest at the start, what you can do without at the start, when to expand, when to hire and how much to pay, etc. etc.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    No matter what kind of business you are Starting Up, ABC Consulting<\/a> can help you get your business started — and on the RIGHT foot, so if\/when you add alcohol to the menu, you won\u2019t have to redo all your registrations. Apply, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    *Disclaimer: The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.\u00a0 Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.\u00a0 This website contains links to other third-party websites.\u00a0 Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user, or browser; ABC Consulting VA, LLC does not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites. Readers of this website should contact their attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter.\u00a0 No reader, user, or<\/em> browser of this site should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this site without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.\u00a0 Only your individual attorney can provide assurances that the information contained herein \u2013 and your interpretation of it \u2013 is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation. The views expressed at, or through, this site are those of the individual authors’ writing in their individual capacities only.\u00a0 All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken, based on the contents of this site, are hereby expressly disclaimed.\u00a0 The content on this posting is provided “as is;” no representations are made that the content is error-free. In no capacity do we represent the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, IRS, SCC or any other government agency.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    It has always fascinated me to watch retail alcohol license applications come in to ABC Consulting: Restaurants, Day Spas, Taverns, Tastings at Wineries\/ Breweries\/ Meaderies. As we develop a relationship with these applicants, their DREAM comes to life. We begin to understand WHY they decided that THIS was the business to pursue and what makes […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11630,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[89,64,96,100,88,104,98,48,50,105,84,77,78],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nBusiness 101 in a Pandemic - ABC Consulting News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"ABC Consulting News - Business 101 in a Pandemic\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/vaabc.com\/blog\/business-101-in-a-pandemic\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Business 101 in a Pandemic - 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