It’s a new year and right after the ball drops, it’s time to go to work. Often entrepreneurs and business owners create their New Year’s Resolutions around their business. It could be more revenue, hiring clients or launching a new product or service, but every new year is an exciting time because it’s ripe with opportunity. We asked 16 entrepreneurs to share what's new in their business in 2017.
#1 – Expanding My Empire
I've been in business as a salon owner for over 14 years. This year, I'm expanding my empire by venturing into the world of real estate – all while owning and operating a successful salon in Woolwich, NJ. I'm turning 35 this year, and my goal is to expand my horizons and try new things. If I want to be a millionaire by the time I'm 40, I can't rest on my laurels. This year, I decided it was time to step my game up – it's time to grow my empire.
Thanks to Michelle Cobb, Hughes-Riggs Realty, Inc.!
#2 – New Locations & New Services
Two years ago, Empire Executive Offices officially opened in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Now that 2016 has ended and we reflect on the year, opening a brand new location in North Miami was definitely our biggest accomplishment. Expanding and growing are yearly goals, and the feeling of making that happen is amazing. I like to always go big and really exceed what competition is doing. So along with launching new locations in Boca and West Palm, we are now also offering PR services to our tenants to help their business grow. A major yearly initiative is to always make my clients' feel like I treat their business as my own. In doing so, we are always brainstorming new creative ideas to help their business develop, such as offering new services. We're really excited to see how the year plays out and to watch our clients flourish.
Thanks to Thomas Fallarino, Empire Legal Reporting!
#3 – Giving Back
Our focus in 2017 is giving back. We launched a new product: purpose-built websites for cause-based businesses (we call them FairSites.net) and we’re using profits from every site we make to fund the fight against human trafficking. This is critical for us: we’re committed to helping difference makers make a difference, and to ending human trafficking for as many women as we can with the fruits of our labor.
Thanks to Adam Fairhead, Fairhead Creative!
#4 – Full of Opportunities
2017 is one of best years for entrepreneurship and small businesses because with the help of technology, tools, resources and internet you can compete against big brands. Great example was the success story of Dollar Shaving Club which was recently acquired by big brand. It has never been this easy to start, grow and scale your business. In 2017 you can do research, launch and grow your business relatively cheaper than in earlier years. 2017 will be full of opportunities for entrepreneurs or aspiring wantrepreneurs.
Thank you to Ali Salman, Rapid Boost Marketing!
#5 – Recurring Revenue
At Paper Mart, we strive to be both a resource and one-stop shop for our customers. One of our 2017 initiatives is to focus on recurring revenue. As we are one of the largest packaging supply companies in the nation, we love new customers but we also believe that the best customers are the ones that come back. From launching our loyalty program to continuously expanding our product offerings, we are finding ways to secure customers and have them returning.
Thanks to Buffy Simoni, Paper Mart!
#6 Really Hone In & Stay Up to Date on Social Media
It's extremely apparent that social media marketing is here to stay and its staying power attributes to the fact that is ever evolving. One of our 2017 initiatives is to really hone and keep up to date with social media. As Wine & Design is about the experience of creating memories and masterpieces, we want to make sure to show people what it's like to be at one of our studios. Whether it be real-time posting and live videos at one of our classes, we want to make our followers and prospective followers feel like they're genuinely part of the experience as it it's unfolding.
Thanks to Harriet Mills, Wine & Design!
#7 – Our Vision
At Talent Plus we have set a 2020 vision and are making the adjustments to help us begin to traverse toward that vision. We have spent the last two quarters looking at the core of what we do from a number of vantage points as well as the marketplace. Based on customer insight, we know that the marketplace is very familiar with our selection assessments and interviews. It is not, however, as aware of our development solutions and that may because we have generally offered them in concert with our assessment solutions. Now we are looking at these, teasing those apart as well as offering them in tandem. Coming to this realization has been one of looking at our solutions with a new set of lenses. We recognize that there are organizations looking for development solutions and/or assessment solutions in order to retain and develop top performers. In the end – whether you're focused on strengths and talents to hire someone or in wanting to develop someone – our goal is better workplaces and the retention of people who love what they have the opportunity to do each day.
Thank you Kimberly Rath, Talent Plus, Inc.!
#8 Progress as a Company & Push New Avenues
2017 will see us progress as a company and push new avenues. Our business started with one website – Poles Direct – which soon led to other products being launched across the window dressing and home furnishing landscape. Now, we want to expand even further. We are in the process of developing an all-inclusive interiors collection, which will include soft furnishings, accessories and high end upholstery. As a well recognized brand within the industry, we anticipate a highly successful cross-over into a more comprehensive offering. This in turn will see more investment coming in-house, and we expect to further expand our digital activity, which includes web development, SEO and PPC. It's set to be an exciting year!
Thanks to Lee Fisher, Poles!