Enjoy the latest Guest Blog from Kory Wermerskirchen, who is in my networking group! 

I have been in the insurance industry for 10+ years, and continually the biggest mistake I see people make is with their liability limits.  This is what protects you and your assets should you be liable (at-fault) in an accident.  As the publicly traded online insurers have pushed to commoditize the insurance industry, the push for saving money in as little of time as possible has increased drastically.  Besides the issue of spending less time on insurance than you do on your Amazon order, there is significant risk aligned with this quick decision. In MN if you don’t have sufficient coverage for an at-fault accident, nor the ability to pay out of pocket for damages exceeding your insurance coverage amount, they may garnish up to 25% of your wages until that debt has been repaid.  Could you afford a 25% pay cut in perpetuity until your debt is repaid? I know my family couldn’t.

Many companies advertise the price without much attention directed to what you are buying, and what money conscious person would select the $100/month option over the $90/month or $80/month option? Increasingly I see people selecting the $80 option, which often means they have the State Minimum Liability coverages of 30/60/10.  When I chat with these same people and ask how long it would take to accrue $30k in Medical Damages at the Hospital, or how many cars on the road are worth less than $10k, they all unanimously answer, not long and not many.  And they are right.  Yet usually unbeknownst to them, that is exactly how much coverage they have right now.
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So if you really only have 15 minutes to spend on determining your coverages, spend it with a local reputable agent that can inform you of what you are buying and the potential risks associated with it.  Or at the very minimum double check what you have, and determine if that is sufficient to protect you and your family.  Your financial future may depend on it.
 
Kory Wermerskirchen
Marty Bothwell Agency         
Ph:   (952) 937-5556
Fax: (952) 975-9217
kory.wermerskirchen.uvwt@statefarm.com

We work with many different industries throughout the U.S. to help with their digital marketing needs. From Realtors to Chiropractors, to local restaurants and museums, you will play a vital role in the content we provide for our customers and helping their businesses be seen online.

You will also serve as an internal advocate for client needs, helping to bring about better service to clients and contribute to the overall customer experience. This is a part-time, remote, entry-level position with room to grow. Communication and creativity are key with this position.
Duties Include, but are not limited to:

• Tracking growth across platforms for a wide variety of clients.
• Help prepare reports for analysis to present to clients.  
• Develop original and engaging text, image content to help promote client brands on social media, email marketing, and websites.  
• Assist with uploading already made content to YouTube channels for clients.
• This position requires great communication skills.  
• Other duties as assigned

 
This job starts at 5 to 10 hours per week at $25 an hour and is an independent contractor with room to grow. We are willing to train as well for the right person.
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Please submit a sample of writing when you apply. A sample should include one original social media post for a business of your choosing or a sample blog post.  
 
Please email us your resume!

Have you ever had a moment where things in your life just don't "fit" any more? Whether it's something you're doing, the places you go, or even your wardrobe...?

I've been experiencing that with the clothes I wear. Between health issues and working from home full time, it's real easy to get into a rut. It's even easier to not get out of leggings for three days. I'm not against leggings or being comfortable, but there are times when I've wished I could take things to the next level.

Part of the problem is that shopping has always scared me. I was always intimidated by the clerks in the stores, what to try on, what even looks good on me. So at some point, I sort of stopped trying. There is a silver lining.... when I joined my networking group 2 years ago, I was introduced to the fabulous Nancy Dilts Wardrobe Consulting and she's made such an impact on my life. I never knew I could wear the things she's helped me try on. I always felt stuck in a rut. Stuck with what ever clothing fit the fruit my body resembled instead of finding pieces I love and being able to pair them together. What a concept!

If you are looking to gift yourself something amazing this February and give yourself a real boost of confidence, let a consult with Nancy be it! Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Not only is she amazing to work with, Nancy is also one of the nicest humans I've met on this planet. Plus, she helped me pick out this jacket.

Want to get in touch with Nancy? Visit her website. 
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-Guest Article written by Kelli Brewer.

​Starting a business from home while sharing childcare duties with a partner is already a challenge. There are countless articles, blogs, and hashtags devoted to organizing and managing remote work while parenting children with someone else — but what if you are a single mother? The constant advice given about splitting childcare duties with a partner may not apply in your situation, especially if you have recently separated from your partner or are starting the divorce process, which is overwhelming on many levels.
 
Single moms can do more than survive their work hours while trying to entertain small children. Read through these tips from Spotlight Business Solutions to learn how to better manage your unique work-life balance as a single mom who is starting a business from home.
 
Transfer Your Skill Set
 
Many single working mothers have successfully transferred their corporate skills and other talents to their startup or entrepreneurship endeavor to spend more time with their young children. This is especially true during the pandemic, which has seen a rise in COVIDpreneurs — entrepreneurs who have used the time at home to develop ideas into money-making ventures. Working as a freelance consultant is often ideal for a single working mom who wants to build a successful business from home. Additionally, flexible hours mean you can get jobs done and still be available for your kids when they need you.
 
For example, if you worked in the medical field, consider writing for medical sites or blogs that translate medical information to simpler terminology to make it easier for people to understand. If you have a background in finance, look into consulting, tax preparation, or other roles that allow you to start a remote freelance business using the skills you have.
 
You can also refine your skills by going back to school, which can increase your chances of making more money and advancing in your career. Universities like WGU allow you to earn a degree online, so you can complete your education from home while juggling parenthood and business ownership. Degrees like accounting can put you a step ahead from the competition and give you the skills needed to qualify for top positions in business and finance.
 
Complete Your Legal Paperwork Online
 
If you’re a COVIDpreneur starting a business from home, you’ve likely already signed your name to dozens of documents. If you haven’t begun to file papers yet, complete this checklist of requirements before the launch of your business. Tips to remember include choosing a catchy name for your business, purchasing your domain name or website address, registering your limited liability company (or other small corporation) with your state, and paying your yearly dues.
 
Know When to Hire Talent
 
You may have received advice concerning hiring web designers and digital marketers to begin expanding your business's reach. Hiring these professionals can free up your time for your kids, but refer to your business plan to ensure that you hire the right people at the most effective time. If you don’t have a solid website with regularly published content, you probably don’t need a digital marketer’s help just yet. Similarly, if you understand marketing but your website is a little untidy, consider hiring an expert to elevate your site’s look to a more professional level before you show it to potential clients. Either way, Spotlight Business Solutions can offer you expertise in website design, social media marketing, and a range of other services for your business.
 
Recruit a Trustworthy Sitter or Nanny
 
Single moms may find it difficult to care for children in the early stages of starting a business, especially if their children are at home with them all the time. If you notice that you’re feeling frazzled while balancing kids’ activities, crafts, and mealtimes with your new venture, consider hiring help. Even asking a part-time nanny or a teenaged neighbor you trust to stop by for a few hours a week can be lifesaving to parents with no outside assistance. Any of the children’s grandparents who live nearby may be willing to babysit on a regular schedule as well.
 
Find a Mentor
 
When branching out on your own to start a business, especially in our disconnected digital age, a mentor is worth her weight in gold. Find one through a network or reach out to someone you know. When possible, look for single parents who can understand your unique position.
 
An old friend from high school may have just started an online business, or perhaps an acquaintance posts regularly on social media about success with her startup. Reach out to ask for any notes or advice they are willing to offer.
 
Starting a business from home, whether you wish to freelance, consult, or develop a solid client base, can be done with perseverance and time management.  If you go slowly and steadily, you can soon reap the rewards as a COVIDpreneur with a dependable source of income you can count on and continue to build from your home.
 
Spotlight Business Solutions is dedicated to helping business grow. For more information about our marketing and design services, give us a call at 651-373-1185 or email amy@spotlightbizsolutions.com

As the new entrepreneur of a budding business, you may have entered your field because of a novel idea or great service you want to share with the world. You may even have confidence in your management abilities, as well as the organizational and people skills to successfully take your business to new heights.
 
However, very few entrepreneurs are proficient in accounting and bookkeeping, nor do they have the time to take on all the financial duties running a business requires. According to Wasp Barcode, only 40% of owners claim to be very or extremely knowledgeable when it comes to their general understanding of accounting and finance, and 82% of businesses fail due to cash flow problems. Despite these numbers, many small businesses don’t hire an accountant or bookkeeper.
 
While limited funds may have you convinced that you can do without professional accounting services, hiring someone to help you take on the financial organization of your new business and prepare taxes correctly can set you up for success in the long run.
 
Avoid Common Accounting Errors
When business owners have too many irons in the fire, accounting errors are bound to happen at some point. Issues with data entry can have serious consequences, such as:
 

• Missing invoices and incurring late fees
• Reporting expenses incorrectly
• Overstating or understating cash flow information
• Over-reporting income
• Overlooking embezzlement or fraud

 
Hiring a professional accountant who is aware of the best accounting practices, has a deep understanding of accounting programs, and has a well-established system in place to quickly detect errors can take the responsibility off your shoulders. This will allow you to focus your attention on other areas of the business.
 
Get the Most Out of Your Tax Return
If you want to spend less time trying to sort through your taxes and ensure you come out with the best refund possible, hire a small business tax accountant to prepare your taxes for you. These professionals can take care of every step of the process, ensuring you are benefiting from every deduction available to you, filing your taxes, and offering advice on how to better your tax strategy for the future. According to AllTopStartups, because accountants know the ins and outs of taxation, they will be able to save you from any penalties and fines.
 
Enlist Help With Payroll
If you have a full-time accountant taking care of the general finances for your business and filing tax returns, he or she may take care of payroll for your company as well. To make managing payroll easier, consider investing in an online payroll service to help streamline the process and improve your employees’ experience.
 
When searching for the right payroll software, look for a service that includes automated payroll, calculating your employee’s wages while factoring in any other circumstances, such as overtime, insurance deductions, benefits and bonuses. Employees will also appreciate having an online portal to access using their computer or phone to easily see and download pay stubs, tax forms, or other reports. This also saves you the hassle of having to track down and provide information to your employees any time they need to reference their pay.
 
Streamlined payroll is incredibly important because it helps your employees feel appreciated. Paying your employees on time will encourage them to keep working hard, and this will benefit your business in the long-run. Your employees are the lifeblood of your company, so you should ensure they are satisfied.
 
If you’re not as adept at handling finances for your business as you are at managing your employees and strategizing ways for your brand to grow, a professional accountant is an invaluable addition to your team. Ensure your business is on the right track financially and free up more of your time to take care of other critical areas of operations.
 
Does your digital marketing strategy need revamping? Spotlight Business Solutions can handle all your web design, social media marketing, blog writing, and SEO needs. Call 651-373-1185 to schedule a free 30-minute consultation!

Article courtesy of Kelli Brewer.

Got a small business and struggling to keep up with what to do with your social media channels? It can be a challenge to figure out what you should be doing with it all, especially on top of your already mounting tasks to keep your small business running. Not to worry, here are a few tips to keep your social media accounts fresh and enticing by expanding your reach to target audiences to increase your sales.
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1. Find the Appropriate Social Media Platforms for your Business -  Figure out which platforms suit your target audience. If you’re looking for a particular customer base, then looking into different media platforms demographics will help choose which one is right for your business. Facebook and YouTube are the most popular platforms currently, with Instagram and Snapchat being used by a larger amount of younger people. A social media company can help you determine what target audience you should be aiming for with your business.
2. Post Consistent, Engaging Content Regularly - Keep up on your social media posts with consistent content that is relevant to your business. Creating your own content for your posts is key, but you can also share things from other sources. You should post one time per day on sites like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, but Twitter it’s recommended that you post more times throughout the day. Can’t do that? Start with 3 days a week and see how that goes.  ​Include posts about your employees and if you have time outside the office creating a fun environment for your company. You can create posts about your products or projects that you are working on, but remember to keep the sales pitch to a minimum. Ask a question at the end of your posts to get people to engage and have fun on your social media platforms. Interaction is key, and your post will pop up more in people’s feeds if there is more engagement happening.
3. Link your Website to your Social Media Accounts - Make sure you have links to your social media accounts on your website and vice versa. Your social media account should have your website listed on there as part of the basic setup, make sure you have filled out that part. But it’s also good to have your social media accounts links on your website. Add the icons for each social media presence that you have on your site, so that it’s linked to each one. Request that people follow or like your pages as well.

For more insight on how to reach more customers and for creating exciting content, contact Spotlight Business Solutions to keep your social media current and engaging.