This is Tip #9 for creating a successful business.

Do something you enjoy.

Over the last few months, I've built a moderately successful training business. I've had a number of clients who seemed to drop from heaven. Other trainers have been too busy and have referred me or people who have seen me do training have suggested me to other companies. Word of mouth referrals have brought me the majority of my business.

How did this happen? I do what I love to do. I love training. I love it so much that I would do it for free and over the last year, I've done a great deal of it for free. (A large number of the free engagements were done with the Texas Scholars Program mentioned above.) I never really thought I could get paid for it. I primarily used the speaking and training engagements as an opportunity to market my writing and graphic design business. I made a shift a few months ago to focus more on the training and get serious about it as a business. I've done a lot of research and discovered the half dozen or so topics that I enjoy doing and then have fine-tuned my products to reflect those areas.

I love to write, too. It suddenly dawned on me that the writing career is starting to take off for the same reason the training career did. I'm doing what I love to do and the opportunities seem to drop from heaven as a result. Of course, networking and making sure that people know what I do is important, too.

My friend who is an artist would draw whether she made money at it or not. But she does make money at it. She also makes sure that the people who will like her artwork are exposed to it by doing shows and paying attention to her market. First, though, she does what she loves to do. Passion and fun can get you through a lot of lean times.

What do you love to do? If you're working in a job you can't stand, don't just jump to the next opportunity. Start doing what you love to do, whether you get paid for it or not, and even if you have to do it part time. You may be surprised how quickly the money follows.

My friend Cheryl Cook has a wonderful newsletter (and if you like this one, you'll like hers, too.) Learn how to get more cash in your pocket, more sales in the door, and reduce the amount of cash leaving your business. Subscribe NOW for this biweekly ezine here.

Join me at one of the following seminars:

MAKING YOUR WEBSITE WORK FOR YOU!
Wednesday, October 13
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
GETTING PEOPLE TO YOUR WEBSITE
Wednesday, October 20
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
CRAFTING YOUR WEBSITE TEXT
Wednesday, October 27
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
CONDUCTING BUSINESS BY EMAIL
Wednesday, November 17
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
SEMINAR FOR MEN: MARKETING TO WOMEN
Wednesday, December 8
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Each class: $21.00, John Marshall High School, 8000 Lobo. Register by phone (210-522-8100) or online at NISD's Community Ed Department - available September 1st.

Do you have a clear growth strategy for your business?

Can you articulate that strategy to others?

Do you have trouble prioritizing when faced with the competing demands of customers, employees, limited resources, and dwindling time?

Focus on Business Growth from The BottomLine is a succinct, but highly effective one-on- one three-hour strategic solution for the small business owner. It will quickly help you clarify your options and rank your priorities. Led by veteran business strategists and marketing consultants, you'll leave with greater insight and practical next steps on your path to growth.

For more information, click on the link below to visit The BottomLine or call 210-392-3309.

Do you have used computer equipment taking up valuable storage at your business? Are you keeping it in the hope that you will be able to sell it and recover some of your investment? Is the equipment dropping in value every day you hang on to it?

Corona Visions will pick up your equipment, wipe any storage (hard drives, fax machine memory, etc.) of existing data, and repair and resell or recycle your equipment. You may even qualify for the new E- Broker Program and have part of the net profit of any resale value returned to you.

Call 210-521-7612 to find out how Corona Visions can help you free up that storage space.