In 2004, I was fresh out of college and had this crazy passion to sell face paint and supplies. When I first bought Silly Farm Supplies, I was operating on almost no budget. I used every penny I’d ever had, including taking a loan from my family to turn my dream into a reality. I have been working since I was 10 years old, when I used to go with my aunt and help her face paint. When I was 14 I started working at Chuckie Cheese. Working came natural to me, but owning my own business was a whole new ball game.

Right after I got Silly Farm, I was so excited and took pride in wearing all the hats in my new business. I would come into Silly Farm every day and jump at the chance to answer the phone, answered every email, ran to pack every box, and would strap the packages to my back and personally walk them to the post office. After a year of working 90 hours a week, and wearing every hat I possibly could, I realized it was time to help myself by getting help.

A lot of business people are penny wise and dollar foolish. They fear if they hire someone to help that they will loose money. Instead they should be thinking how hiring someone can be the best business move they can make. When I hired Cristi to handle all the shipping, I freed up my afternoons to answer more emails, film my youtube face painting videos, and answer more calls. Immediately, Cristi paid for herself.

If you are serious about taking your business to the next level, start by making a list of your best qualities.
Are you a better painter than business person? Do you hate sending contracts and discussing pricing? Do you prefer the behind the scenes of party planning? Do you love doing taxes (yeah right) or being a bookkeeper? Once you answer these questions then make a list of the things you hate doing, your last favorite part about doing business. Read your answers out loud, and then ask yourself am I ready to get serious and help myself to becoming the best business person I can be?

If you are nervous consider partnering with someone you know, such as a friend or family member. My Mom is a perfect example of how I did. She is one of the most brilliant business women I know and she is also the least artistically inclined person I know. She thrives off of numbers, organization, and accounting gives her her kicks. If you have seen my desk before you know organization is not my strong suit, but because I was willing to accept my weaknesses and embrace her strengths we have built a business I am proud of.

The 2012 Face and Body Art International Convention offers a marketing and business track and it’s a perfect opportunity to enlist a partner and get them trained. If 2012 is going to be the year you take your business to the next level, then stop putting it off and make the investment in getting help.

If you ever need advice, or have business related questions I am always happy to help. You can email me or call me at Silly Farm mon – fri. Thank you again for following my blog and I wish you nothing but success in 2012!

Leave a comment below and tell us how many of the hats you wear in your business and how you manage it.
-Silly Heather