Here at SKI Charities, we empower women in Chile and Zimbabwe with the tools they need to be successful entrepreneurs. This isn’t just the microloans we provide, it’s also extensive training and guidance on things like budgeting, inventory management and more.
Being an entrepreneur means continually learning and growing. Here are some resolutions for entrepreneurs to keep growing their businesses into the new year:
SKIC beneficiaries at an entrepreneurship training.
1. Prioritize your physical and mental health.
When your business is you, it’s all the more important that you’re healthy both physically and mentally. Assess your lifestyle and working habits and ensure you’re making time for sleep, exercise and relaxation and that you’re not in danger of burnout. If these means working a few less hours a week, it’ll be well worth it.
2. Keep learning.
Odds are there’s a class you’ve always wanted to take, a skill you’ve always wanted to learn, or a book you’ve always wanted to read. Make 2022 the year you do it, and your business will grow with you.
3. Assess your vision, mission and values.
Don’t have vision, mission and values statements for your business? Make a goal to write them by the end of the year. Already have them? Sit down and assess if your business’ direction continues to be in line with these statements, and what you wanted to achieve when you started on this journey. If your direction has changed, it’s time for an update to your vision, mission and values statements (and possibly your overall branding).
4. Rethink how you hire.
Hiring the right people is crucial to the success of your business. Having a formalized process for how you recruit and hire can ensure you’re finding people who have the skills you need and are a cultural fit for your organization. The new year is also a good time to reflect on what kinds of voices are currently missing from your team, and to take steps to rectify that.
SKIC beneficiaries at an entrepreneurship training.
5. Delegate more.
Our founder often talks about how one of the keys to SKI Charities’ success is delegation. Once you have the right team in place, letting go of control and giving team members ownership of the work they are doing not only takes tasks off your plate, but will make your team more satisfied and connected to their jobs—and likely make your ship run smoother.
6. Devote time to your business’ culture.
Even if you’re a solopreneur who works with a few part-time contractors, your business has a culture, and it deserves some thought and intention. A healthy culture helps with morale, staff retention, and quality of work—plus, don’t we all want to feel happy and supported at our jobs?
7. See where you’re spending your budget.
Take a look at last year’s books, and notice where your business’ money is going. Is your small business supporting other small businesses, or do you mostly work with big corporations? Are any of your contractors Black- or woman-owned businesses? Your dollars are powerful, so make sure the way you’re spending them is in alignment with your business’ values. (Which doesn’t have to mean spending any more money!)
8. Give back.
If you ended the year in the green, consider donating a portion of your revenue to a cause that you believe in. Even if the budget is tight, there are ways for your business to make a difference—whether that’s instituting a quarterly volunteering day, or using your platforms to uplift important issues.
