russellvillabroza-blog

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Week 10: Progress on Start-Up Venture.

What is working: Keeping my mind on the task at hand is keeping the progress on a positive behaviour. My behaviour towards the course has been minimal and lacking and I take full responsibility, however in present time in the business that I assigned myself to and took the leap of adventure I have strived for greatness. My clientele is growing and the demand is rising. Even with strict and hefty prices people are respecting the craftsmanship and quality of work that the price makes a fair trade. A single cold-call house service is eager and willing to pay $45 minimum for the quality that I provide.

What is not working: There is always cons to a business plan and to this one there are endless cons until it is perfected. That which can take years of planning and even then mistakes or problems can slip through the cracks. Being as organised as possible can mean nothing if the other end does not cooperate. Appointments being late or cancelling last minute wastes precious time that I could have used for a returning client. Having distances that are unreasonable are also a con because even with my service being priced at top dollar the travel cost could cost half or more than the service. With that being in mind those distant clientele are hesitant to pay the steeper prices. Approaching customers that are unfamiliar with my recognition can also be a factor because they do not have the information of the quality of work that I provide and assume that I am an average barber.

How I feel the project is coming: The project is coming at a steady pace that I can handle except for the fact that I have been pushing this course to the side. I find that my time management skills can be put into check and be re-evaluated to be more productive. Other than my lack of focus when it comes to checking in or giving updates on my successes the project is above ground and growing and a healthy rate. It has come to a point that at my current occupation as a barber that my timeslots are being filled and the need for Residential Luxuries are in higher demand.

What I am learning about running a business: Time and effort are key for the business to grow. Imagine a business being a seed in the ground. Without sunlight, water, oxygen and protection the seed cannot grow into it's full potential. The business or organization is only as strong as it's weakest point. The weakest point must be addressed or the other aspects of the business will feel like they are holding the business afloat while the weak link drowns in it's attempt to survive. Having a team based mentality keeps everyone on one level and ensuring that the strong help the weak. With this business only involving myself I refer to my mindsets and ideas. On a bigger scale I would implement this to others to grow my business.

What I am learning about myself: I am learning that I have a lot to learn! There are times where I am focused and determined to complete the task at hand and other times where I feel that I can put the task aside and enjoy the "free” time. I have learned to take the harsh comments as learning experiences and the positive uplifting comments as things to continue to strive for and improve because it is working. Not only that it is working but people can realise that it is working.

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Business Operations Plan

Purchasing products: 

-gas for transportation -phone for communicating with clients and also locating the client -business license to operate business legally

As for barbering equipment I have already purchased all the tools necessary for the job as I am already a barber at a barbershop.  The business is already on a great start and I will execute my plan ahead of schedule as there are already several clients in need of my service of home barbershop service. 

The people involved with my business is myself and the clients that require the service.

As for my vision I must continue to execute my great service and let my quality do the talking. Having a friendly and persuasive attitude will allow my business to grow. At the end of the day this business is all up to me to strive and succeed. There are times where I might be tired or lazy but I have to put that aside so I can remain on top.

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Local Competition

My service of going home to home to do a barbershop service is a very unique one. With that being said my only competition would be other barbers doing the same service. 

Luckily for me my competition is out of the city.

The travelling barber from Belleville would be one of my competitor. The pros to her business is that she has a Facebook page that allows people to see her work and contact her through her business page. The cons to her business is that she is very far from any major city. 

Toronto barbers would be my next competitors. These barbers have a skill set that I can applaud, however do not meet the standards that I provide. Also being 45 minutes to an hour away from my city gives me the advantage of having my own district. If I were to take the time to travel to Toronto to offer my service I would require minimum of 3 clients in that city to make it worth the drive.

Of course my third and strongest competitors would be Hamilton barbers and barbershops. With Hamilton such a big city there are plenty of clients available for all of us. I want to gain my success but I do not need to step on anyone's toes or be greedy. Everyone needs to eat and I am willing to share.

Pros to myself is that I am very good at what I do and I am a people's person. I can get along with any personality and if not I will adjust.

Cons is that I am only one person and I am unable to be at two places at once.

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Strengths and Weaknesses

Hi my name is Russell! This is my first time blogging ever. I am always trying to push my boundaries and put myself in uncomfortable but positive situations. That would be one reason why I'm blogging in the first place. I enrolled myself into an entrepreneur course so I can work on my strengths. I can confidently say that I have several strengths. I am a leader and role model when it comes to being a karate sensei. My qualities of a sensei include being able to communicate with students of all ages and the ability to teach them to the level that is challenging for the student. Building a connection and relationship with the student and of course improve their skills within karate. The ability to command and conduct a class with respect is very important. Having the aura of confidence allows the students to look up to me and share the same drive to improve, to motivate, to push and to surpass limits. This did not just happen over night. It required 16 years of training and discipline in order to achieve this. Within theses 16 years I have achieved rank of 2nd Degree(Dan) of black belt. Fighting through the hard training with perseverance and determination got me to where I am today. That same confidence gave me the opportunity to become a barber as well. One day waiting 3 hours for a haircut at a popular barbershop in my city, I thought to myself I have some time on my hands and wanted to use it wisely. So I decided that I would watch the barber execute his craft. I was intrigued and watched diligently. After grasping the basics from what I observed, I decided that I would venture into the craft and my first canvas would be myself. Taking the risk of looking ridiculous with my amateur skill at the time I was willing to take it. From practicing the craft time and time again I gained more canvases which started off with my friends. At the time I was in high school and was a part of the football team. This was a huge avenue for me to gain more clients. My focus on becoming the best barber is always growing, even to this day. I would cut hair anywhere I could. I would ask the janitor of my school to use his office to cut hair. If he wasn't available I would cut in the hallways. One day walking within the school I seen a cosmetology classroom with salon chairs and asked the teacher when classes weren't going on if I could use a chair to cut hair. I felt like I was definitely using my time wisely because when I wasn't in class I was in the cosmetology room cutting hair. My pitch to my fellow peers would be "Go to school and get your fresh haircut all in one place.” That could only last so long because when summer came I couldn't use the facility. So I would use my backyard, living room, kitchen, basement, washroom, pretty much any place in the house to cut hair. I continued this until a barbershop took notice in my skills and wanted to offer me a job. I was so eager the moment I received this notice I went to the barbershop with my equipment. The barber asked for my name and if I brought my equipment. I showed him my tools and immediately after he instructed me to cut a young boy's hair. For some they may have been put on the spot. However I walked in that room with the confidence to execute any type of haircut. I completed the task and the barber was satisfied. “You know what you are doing however there are things that you can improve on. Come to the shop three times a week and you will see improvements within a month.” said the barber. From that day on I went to the barbershop everyday that summer. Patience was needed in order for me to gain more clientele. At first being a new face at the barbershop there was no trust. Everyone would always go to the owner until I decided to take charge and show my future clientele that I am the man for the job. As time went on my clientele grew and grew. Now I am one of the best barbers in the city and I will say it with my head held high! With barbershops the networking was endless. Everyone needs a haircut no matter what occupation. With this networking opened up new ventures. Security for different events and venues from bars, night clubs, concerts etc.. Security and karate went hand in hand and worked out perfectly. So perfectly it landed me a job as a night club manager. Amazing learning experiences from being a manager. Of course the learning experiences weren't amazing at the time. But after analyzing the experiences it opened my eyes up to the learning aspect of these experiences. All of this could not have happened if I didn't believe in myself. If I didn't have the drive, determination and patience to allow me to succeed. The strengths don't end there. I am also adventurous, spontaneous and also to adapt to any situation. During a time with problems with my personal life I thought things were going downhill. I could have dwelled on the problem and made things worse but I didn't. Then an opportunity came to travel for a month's time and I jumped on it with a four day notice. I took myself out of a bad situation and I put a positive vibe to the situation and made it one of the best experiences of my whole life. At the time I thought my life was only within my home city. Then I climbed mountains. Traveled to Machu Picchu. Walked the deserts of Huacachina and the Oasis, even ended up in the Amazon Jungle! With all these experiences within my life so far were not all good but I have learned to take those times and not stress and grip the problem over my head. Enough of my strengths. If I only focus on my strengths my weak points will never improve. Sometimes even my strengths are my weaknesses as well. For example my patience is a double edged sword. So much patience that sometimes I would never take action. Everything must have balance. I express my confidence with this whole blog however there are times where I am very timid or shy or even have thoughts of weakness and forget my self worth. There are opportunities in my life that I didn't take because of this. When I do not have full knowledge about a subject or at least a confident amount I am likely to step back and almost be stepped on or over. There are also times where I can be indecisive when there are so many options. My plan to improve this is to try my best not to have doubts or regrets. Stand up for myself and others. Make decisions and stand by them without looking back to see what could have been. I will also improve by gaining more knowledge, again why I am taking the course in the first place.