It will be 10 years for 834 Design & Marketing this fall. Some of those years I would like to forget, there was a lot of failure, frustration and drinking 🥃. People keep telling me that 10 years is a milestone, quite honestly…I’m just happy I managed to retain most of my sanity.

I was just asked the other day what it takes to be a business owner. Besides being slightly off your rocker, I came up with the below.

1. Self-awareness. Know your strengths and weaknesses and don’t be afraid to admit them. Every single employee at 834, has strengths or abilities I don’t possess. I hired them because they are smart, capable and driven. If you feel threatened by that, then you shouldn’t be leading or running a business.
2. Willingness. You will do whatever needs to be done. That means, every employee you hire or plan to hire is doing a job you have done at some point. This also applies to interns. If you ask them to take out garbage or run a vacuum, then you sure as hell better be willing to do it yourself. It is a team effort and if you position yourself on a throne, no one will respect you and they sure as hell won’t work hard for you.
3. Toughness. You are going to get the shit kicked out of you throughout your business journey. I threw in the towel at one point and went to work for a client, it lasted 9 months. It was also the best thing that I could ever have done, because I realized I am not cut out for the corporate world or working for someone else. See #1, self-awareness.
4. Embrace humility. I am self-deprecating to a fault. I do it because it seems to set people at ease and I don’t want anyone to ever think that I walk around like an egotistical asshole. In fact, just in the last few years, I finally allowed myself to admit that I am good at my job and that 834 is a great company. My point is, never think you are better than anyone else, not your competitors, not your employees, not your waiter…no one.
5. Seek out crazy. Find other business owners, because no one else will understand what you are going through. Not your spouse, friends or family. This is a lonely, scary, exhilarating journey and you will need support.
6. Trust your gut. The times I have ignored my gut, I have made some really stupid calls. If you really listen to your instincts, you will be better off.

Never stop dreaming and never give up. Perseverance and just being damn stubborn has carried me through when times were hardest. If you fail, try again. Business owners aren’t afraid of failure, they embrace it and learn from it.

As 834 continues to grow (along with my anxiety), we naturally add more employees. Our culture is a unique one, or so I have heard, and integrating a new employee takes time, patience and resources.

A study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) states that on average, companies lose 17% of their new hires during the first three months. When you think about the investment that goes into a new employee in terms of technology, benefits, space and more; this is a really scary statistic.

The key to success is the onboarding and training process. An article by the Harvard Business Review suggests that companies extend training to a year versus just a few months. A year! Can you imagine? I’m lucky if something can hold my attention for 5 minutes.

Here are a few tips that come from individuals way smarter than me:

1. Be clear on expectations. When an employee starts, ensure they understand their job description. If they are unsure of responsibilities they can’t meet your expectations and it will leave everyone frustrated.
2. Set training objectives. A 2007 study from the Wynhurst Group found that newly hired employees are 58 percent more likely to still be at the company three years later if they had completed a structured onboarding process. Determine timeframe of training along with content. What does your new hire need to know about culture and work environment? How will their performance be measured? Investing the time in creating a solid onboarding process upfront will save you time and money in the long run.
3. First day. First days are nerve wracking. What can you do to offset this? Be sure to have passwords, laptops and a space set up for the new employee. There is nothing worse than joining a new company and feeling as if your presence is a hassle. Set objectives, define expectations and make them feel welcome!
4. Check in regularly. Be available and listen. Set up a one-month check-in to make sure they are comfortable and engaged. Review their work and give thoughtful feedback. This should go on up to 6 months, SHRM recommends a year.
5. Be empathetic. Okay, so I added this one. Do you remember when you started a new job? You were excited, scared and nervous. How can you ease the transition? How do you make a new employee feel at home? These are all questions you need to ask yourself before the employee starts. Share their excitement!

Onboarding is hard and not the most fun, but it is also incredibly important. What tips do you have for companies onboarding a new employee?

What do you support? Do you stay neutral? Stay out of any political discourse?

Many companies choose to quietly support or not support certain organizations in their community or remain quiet on what their customers may perceive as controversial.

834, I am proud to say, will always vocally support equality, inclusiveness and diversity. In fact we are proud supporters of the Grand Rapids Pride Center and this weekend’s Pride Festival. For us, this is a huge part of our culture and it is what makes our company great.

Some companies may have a different base of clients or may have a political base and need to remain neutral facing for those reasons. I am really proud that as a small business owner I am able to support great organizations like the Grand Rapids Pride Center, GVSU LGBT Alumni Association and Vicki’s Pet Connection (obviously we support all things animals).

You have to do what is right for you, your company and your customers.

What do you think?

I always think it is ironic I write these blogs about management, when I often struggle to find my way. I guess I figure, when I am researching, reading and learning…well I might as well pass it on to my 30 subscribers.

Someone pointed out the other day, that my agency has a reputation for finding, recruiting and growing young talent. With that comes challenges and rewards.

Managing individuals across multiple generations is hard and each person has to be managed differently. Take millennials for example, a recent article by Forbes said this:

Millennials are the first generation to be exposed to a very fluid labor market, making their careers a transformation journey, where they need to reinvent themselves, try out new skills, and need continuous learning.

Let me translate: They are not going to stay at any job for 5, 10 or 30 years like our parents did. This is a fact with younger talent, and guess what…that is ok! What does that mean for a small company – well, it means that you you changes will affect you much more than larger companies.

I can tell you what is important to my young team (from my perspective – you may want to ask them yourself).

• Invest in your team and they will invest in you.
• Make giving back a part of your culture. Leaving the world a better place is important to millennials, as it should be for all of us.
• Change is good. I’m still working this one out, but I know that change doesn’t scare this generation.
• Listen to them. They want to be heard and that means shutting your mouth and just listening. I’m also working on this…it’s a process.
• Trust is paramount. This absolutely needs to go both ways. If you don’t trust them, they don’t trust you and vice versa.

Hang in there, you got this (I got this).

Being a business owner is incredibly lonely. I am reminded of this daily, when I have no one but myself to turn to when it comes to tough decisions. No one cuts you slack and no one cares about your ‘feelings’.

Your significant other will not know the crushing pressure you feel when looking at finances, dealing with employee issues, clients, payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, insurance, telephones, equipment, technology, property management, growth, culture…you get the drift. They will say you internalize things and you need better work/life balance. What they don’t understand is that doesn’t exist when you own a business. The business doesn’t stop because you have decided you need a vacation or a ‘timeout’.

Here is what I want you to understand about business owners.

• We have tough exteriors. We are tough so people don’t smell weakness and take advantage of us. We look confident but in reality we beat ourselves up about every decision, mistake, failure and critique.
• We choose to do what we do because we truly believe we can make a difference. Sure it sounds cheesy and idyllic and perhaps it is but the fact is there wouldn’t be entrepreneurs or inventors if we were all realists.
• We have feelings. When we are criticized by competitors, clients, employees, vendors, etc. it hurts. It truly hurts. It may seem silly, but we want to be liked. If I was as tough as I looked, I wouldn’t have 4 dogs and donate to every gofundme page that pops up in my newsfeed.
• We’re lonely. If I didn’t have other business owners to commiserate with, I couldn’t do this. I would never had made it without my fellow business owner and best friend, Sue. It’s not like we got a how-to guide when we started our business.
• We’re a little like wild animals. We are fiercely loyal and protective. This means we have to make really shitty decisions sometimes that others view as shotgun or surprising. What you don’t know is the agonizing thought and sleepless nights that we endured prior to making the ‘surprising’ decision.

If you see a business owner on the street, give them a hug (not me though – don’t hug me). They could really use it. Better yet, tell them they’re doing a good job.

Is it important to be seen? To network?

The answer is quite simply, yes. 834’s Lansing partner, Vanguard Public Affairs, and I are taking in the Michigan Policy Conference on Mackinac Island this year. This is my first year, his twelfth.

The entire island is full of conference attendees, politicians, media and more. Everywhere you go, you run into someone and connect.

With the digital world what it is, many people don’t see the need or importance of face-to-face interactions. The fact is, digital should always lead to in person. Interacting online is important but it should be used as a tool to create relationships.

Networking is key in doing the following:

1. Relationships. I am not referring to only business relationships or those you deem beneficial. By connecting and learning from others, you will benefit. Don’t expect business just by showing up. Actually listen and learn – in other words, don’t be out for yourself.
2. No choice. Listen, networking is inevitable, especially as a small business or PR professional. If you are unable to hold a conversation, you’re in the wrong business.
3. Career benefits. At some point you may want to change careers or bring on new clients. The larger your network, the better.

I’m thrilled to be here this week and the alcohol doesn’t hurt either.

If your team is struggling, that is on you. Don’t look to place the blame on someone else, it is your team. Leadership starts at the top.

I was reminded this weekend, that I built a team of strong-willed, independent thinking, get shit done individuals. I am not saying this to pat myself on the back, I am saying that even with a great team comes struggles and it starts at the top.

If you are scattered and lack focus, this will affect your team. If you don’t have a process in place for team planning, workflow, teamwork, etc. your team will suffer.

No one is perfect and you will make plenty of stumbles along the way, but honesty, empathy and acknowledgement of your mistakes will go a long way in building the right team.

If you can’t admit when you screw up, then how do you expect your team to?

When I first heard of KPIs (thanks Sue), I immediately felt dumb. I mean, what the hell is a key performance indicator? Also, why are there acronyms for everything?

Sarcasm ahead.

Anyway, back to KPIs. Apparently it is good to set these for your team, who knew?  To save you the embarrassment of asking what these are and then being mocked, let me break it down for you.

The dictionary defines KPIs as: a quantifiable measure used to evaluate the success of an organization, employee, etc., in meeting objectives for performance.

Doesn’t that clear it up for you? Essentially, KPIs are goals that you can measure, meaning you will know when a person meets that goal because you have defined what success looks like. When setting these with your team, do the following:

1. Make sure you are on the same page. Ask your employee to describe what they are responsible for, then compare to your expectations and adjust accordingly. This will help you define areas of responsibility which play into determining the KPI.
2. What is the main purpose of the role? What is it they do that has the biggest impact on your business? For example, our project managers are responsible for client retention and growth.
3. A KPI must be measurable. This doesn’t mean it will translate into dollars, it could be a behavior such as demonstrated collaboration. KPIs are easy to understand when you look at them as dollars and cents. For example, our web division is currently at $$ net revenue and by the end of 2017 they are expected to be at $$$. For a project manager, it could be keeping a client happy which results in them staying on with 834. In other words, of the 8 clients you manage the KPI is retain all of them into 2018.

If a KPI is a behavior, it could be Employee X needs to demonstrate collaboration in the following ways: attendance at all team meetings and participation in the annual strategic planning retreat. Obviously the more detailed the better.

Once the KPIs are set, be sure to schedule check-in times with the various team members to help them stay on track and to keep you apprised of their progress.

The fact is, KPIs are measurable goals. Success is defined by A and B and they will do C and D to meet A and B. I am certain that last sentence couldn’t have been clearer.

What do you think?

I just got back from being gone for 15 days. It was the longest I have traveled away from 834, my team and my dogs. It was amazing, scary, frustrating and anxiety ridden (and that was just the people I communicated with). Even though I was ‘on’ and checking emails, talking to my team and clients – it is still an adjustment when you get home.

Instead of rushing into the office and feeling frantic and overwhelmed, I gave myself a day to get shit in order on the home front. I cleaned, organized, grocery shopped, went to the vet and meal-prepped. I then sat down and planned out the next day to ensure I was the most productive.

If I hadn’t taken that extra day, there is no way I would’ve accomplished anything.

My point is, as a business owner, give yourself a break. We are never truly on vacation or not running our businesses, so do what you have got to do to get yourself back on track.

By the way, Ireland was amazing. Highly recommend.

This won’t be exciting for anyone reading it, but I’m going to write it anyways – because it is my birthday.

This past year has been exciting, terrifying and adventurous to say the least. Here are my top takeaways as I enter my 38th year.

1. The non-traditional family. I do not have a great relationship with my family, which is partly my fault and partly their fault. What I have realized in the last year is that we all have a choice. I choose my friends, my dogs and my husband. All of you have loved me regardless of my aggressive and abrasive personality. Whether I am angry, sad or reclusive – you are always there for me. From girl trips to birthday dinners to family dinners to just grieving with me – you are my family.
2. Travel. I made a promise to myself that I would travel extensively beginning in 2015 and I have kept that promise. From Spain to the Bahamas to Puerto Rico to a cruise to Mexico to Europe. As I sit here writing this blog looking out at Huddersfield, England I am filled with gratitude and happiness. Life is short, embrace it and don’t let anything stop you.
3. I love my independence. I chose not to have children or to take my husband’s last name. It may seem trivial to some or crazy to others. The fact is, I love Bode, my dogs and my career. If you don’t understand that or judge me for it, then screw you. Everyone has the right to make their own decisions and you should not have to defend your life choices.
4. Let them in. I lost my beloved Murphy this past year and it was the hardest thing I have ever endured. He was my everything, my best friend, my shadow…it is hard to even write about it now. I have never grieved so openly but with grief comes clarity. Those that accept you in the hardest of life’s moments are those you should share your life with. Say thank you, tell them you love them and grieve with them. You will come out on the other side.
5. Self-reflection is key. I have made a lot of mistakes, acted impulsively and hurt people in the process. Recognizing your faults and your strengths will only help you grow. Never be afraid or unwilling to apologize and to talk about your weaknesses, you will realize they can be turned into strengths if you are willing to listen and reflect.
6. Say thank you. I am incredibly blessed and I try my best to show this through my actions. I am still incredibly uncomfortable with affection and personal attention. This often comes off as aloof, I just would rather focus on 834 or you. So, I say thank you to all of you who have taken the time to send a card, wish me a happy birthday, send flowers and continue to reach out even if I go radio silent.
7. Do what scares you. Get up on that stage and talk about failure, admit you don’t know everything and push yourself to do what terrifies you. There is a lesson to be learned in everything you do. Growth happens in the scariest moments of your life.
8. Courage is hard. Doing the right thing and making the tough decisions takes courage. Courage means you won’t always be liked or understood, but to me it means I am making the right decision for my business and my life.
9. Owning a business is the hardest and best thing I have ever done. Hiring and working with the brightest people in my industry is humbling and fulfilling. My 834 team is amazing and I hope each of you knows that – being a boss isn’t always fun and you definitely won’t be the most popular but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

38 is going to kick ass and that is because of all of you. Thank you for making 37 my best year.

P.S. To my sister and brother – thanks for loving me through all of those really awkward and angry stages…and the current ones.