Technology advances combined with the pandemic have seen the number of online businesses out there (MicroChilli included!) increase dramatically in recent years. The overheads are lower than bricks-and-mortar retail, which means the barriers to entry are fewer, however there are still many things to consider to ensure success in this realm. 

Alex Tempany, Founder of Alex Tempany Jewelry has been in biz for over three years, so has some great tips, tricks and learnings to share when it comes to owning it in the world of e-commerce. 

In episode 15 Alex chats with Sharon about:

• Some of the benefits associated with running an online vs. bricks-and-mortar business
• Her recommendations when it comes to affordable, user-friendly platform providers (even for those with minimal tech skills)
• How and why your online store needs to be seamless – from the way you showcase your products, to ensuring consistent branding. 
• The importance of the customer journey, the role of data here, and the key term to know: conversion rates (spoiler alert: Alex shares a conversion rate KPI, too!)
• The challenges she has faced when it comes to wearing all of the hats, and the value of prioritising.
• Why it’s important to outsource where and when you can.

Interested in learning more about Alex and her beautiful pieces of both bespoke and ready to wear jewelry? Head to her:

Website

Instagram

This podcast has been produced and edited by Snappystreet Creative

If you’re spending loads of time on proposals, struggle to respond to leads or follow up with prospects, or don’t have a clear client onboarding and offboarding process in place… Then your business could be in need of some process related R&R!

Firstly, know that you’re not alone, and this is so common. Secondly, episode 15 of our podcast is going to be a must listen for you. Here Sharon and Charlotte Isaac, a Dubsado Strategist & Business Operations Consultant, cover the tools, tips and tricks you can lean on to streamline your operations, get more time back in the day, secure new clients, and grow your biz. 

Take a listen to hear Charlotte talk through:

• The value of process in a small business (we’re all time poor, after all!)
• Some quick wins when it comes setting up and streamlining your operations
• The three key processes she recommends establishing before you launch (you can still do this now if you’re already up and running, though!): lead nurturing, onboarding, and offboarding.
• Some of the benefits of a process-driven approach 
• The key process-driven platforms to consider: a CRM, scheduling tool, and project management tool, and her recommendations for each. 

To learn more about Charlotte’s services and to get in touch, head to her website.

Charlotte has also created a special link for listeners to access her course: 7 Steps To Automation for free! Check it out here.

This podcast has been produced and edited by Snappystreet Creative

So, you’ve started or are running a business… Amazing! However, like so many of us entrepreneurs, you might have found that aside from the fun client work – where you’re the expert – there are lots of other things to consider as a business owner. Think: bookkeeping, HR, IT, and… Legals!

Having a sound set of legal documents in place is a must, however we get that navigating all things contracts can be a little overwhelming. So, in episode 13, Sharon chats with Tracey Mylecharane, a Business Lawyer with more than 12 years experience in litigation and dispute resolution, and Founder at Tracey Mylecharane Solicitor, about this very topic.

Some of her key insights from this ep include:

• The three key reasons why contracts are important for every small business, from the need to adhere to your legal obligations, to protecting yourself.
• The value of treating your legals in the same way you do your branding, website and social media.
• The key types of contracts to know, for both product and service-based businesses.
• Why it’s so important to avoid a templated approach, and opt for legal documents that are tailored to your business, and your offering.
• The power of highly engaging, branded legal documents that reflect you and your business.
• The issues you might face without contracts, such as not receiving payments (eek!), falling victim to scope creep, or even getting sued.
• Tips for creating contracts (namely: be open to outsourcing!)
• The ballpark costs small businesses can expect to pay for these types of services, and the fact that payment plans are also a thing.
• Top tips for dispute resolution.

For more great legal tips and tricks from Tracey, and to get in touch, visit her:

Website

Instagram page

This podcast has been produced and edited by Snappystreet Creative