You own Spotted MP, a very successful Marketing and PR firm. What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to someone who wants to start their own business?
I would like to provide two things!
1. One of the first things you should do as a small business owner is develop a business plan. It’s vital that you develop this essential document to steer future work and hold yourself accountable, but it’s also important to not go too in-depth during the early stages of developing your concept. In the beginning, outline key factors for your business, including your business’s goals, what you thrive at doing, and focus areas for your business.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Even when a business is on the right track, unexpected issues and chances for growth and improvement can quickly pop up. Addressing these problems and opportunities is critical for long-term stability and prosperity. As small business owners, we tend to let our egos lead and don’t do a good job of asking for help. Small business owners need to break this habit. It is important to delegate or ask outside resources to assist you. I cannot stress enough to let go of your ego and control freak traits and ask for help in areas of your business that might need it. Asking for help will allow your business to soar and grow.
How do you balance protecting your energy and well-being while also delivering a high level of output for your clients?
Every day when I get up, I “work before work”. That means I carve out non-negotiable time to work out every morning, which sets the tone for my day as well as protects my energy levels. I also focus on my nutrition to help fuel my brain and body to help deliver at high levels for my clients. Once you put “you” first, you become a much better version of yourself, setting you up to deliver positive outputs all around from family to business.
If you could go back and tell 22-year-old Maurisa anything, what would it be?
Live in the present, and work for the future. Keep hustling. Every day, you’re working toward your dream, even if you don’t know what that dream looks like yet. The day after you start work, no one is going to care what school you went to, what your grade point average was, if you played sports or were on the debate team, or even who your parents are. All that matters is whether you deliver results or you don’t, so work hard, have a great work ethic, be respectful, smile, learn, and have a little fun while earning your work/life stripes. Also remember one moment, one introduction, one lesson, and one decision can completely change the course of your life.
The Stacy Strategy 