Problem-Solvers in Action: When to Call in the Experts for Your Business
Photo Credit: David + Meivys of MSP Branding
Thanks for checking out Generation Si! 👋👋🏾👋🏼 Today, you'll get a look at real-life examples of how an entrepreneur handled situations and challenges that came up as her networking group expanded.
In Part One, you learned how Annia Zavala went from trying to make friends to starting a networking group.
The group grew to the point that she registered it as a business. Now, in Part Two, find out the types of professionals she ended up hiring and how they benefited her business:
🌴 An attorney
🌴An accountant
🌴A branding expert
Most of all, you'll get a real sense of the kinds of issues that can come up when you own a business.
🌴 If this practical business-related content sounds like the kind of info you'd love to get on a regular basis for free, subscribe today. This is a growing community of professionals committed to sharing info and valuable advice.
🌴 Let's take a dive into Annia Zavala's world as she grew TheLatinaPro®.
Annia Zavala - Founder & President of TheLatinaPro® (Photo credit: Scharie Photography)
MANAGE GROWTH AND EXPENSES WITH WIN-WIN OPPORTUNITIES
Going from a little get-together to a growing group can bring up situations a new entrepreneur may not know how to handle.
Just ask Annia Zavala, the founder of TheLatinaPro®, a networking group.
“At the beginning, it was very easy to organize the “happy hour” for five people. Or, you know, get a conference room where we could all learn about leadership.
It was easy because companies were willing to give us that, as long as they got to talk to us about what they do.”
“But when you start getting 40, 50, 100 people to an event, then I had to start giving deposits. I had to start giving different things."
Sure, Zavala knew how to get a conference room for free. Give a company the chance to share info about itself and, in exchange, you and your group get a professional meeting place for free.
But Zavala found new challenges as her networking group grew. It now has more than 2600 members.
Forming bonds (Photo credit: MSP Branding)
PROTECT YOUR BRAND
It’s actually the reason she started TheLatinaPro® ; she wanted to start a group where like-minded women could make friends and share info and experiences that would benefit them personally and professionally.
At first, she didn’t do anything to make her group “official.” But then someone brought it to her attention that she should.
“When an attorney showed up and told me, ‘Hey, have you protected this brand?’”
Zavala responded, “Eh, it’s just a small group.”
But the attorney told her, “No, it’s not a small group anymore. I’ve been following you for a couple of years. And you have something here.”
AN ATTORNEY CAN HELP YOU WITH ALL KINDS OF “OFFICIAL” BUSINESS
“So I decided to listen to the attorney, and she registered [and] trademarked names, logos, registered the business with the state of Florida and, you know, gave me great advice.”
Zavala realized the importance of hiring an attorney to protect her brand.
Of course, the attorney asked her things she hadn’t considered before, such as whether or not she planned to make TheLatinaPro® an international company.
International flavor
“I just wanted a business, a checking account. I didn’t think of sponsors.”
AN ACCOUNTANT CAN BRING TO LIGHT TAX IMPLICATIONS YOU MAY NOT HAVE EVEN CONSIDERED
And, even though her late mom was an accountant, Zavala hadn’t thought of hiring an accountant, either, because she still thought of her group as a hobby.
But then she thought to herself, “If this is going to be big, and I’m going to start doing events internationally, how am I going to be dealing with taxes in other countries?”
AN ASSISTANT WILL CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON “RESPONSIBILITY”
Still, it wasn’t until Zavala hired her first assistant that she started thinking of TheLatinaPro® as a business.
“Now, I was responsible for someone’s livelihood…”
She started listening to podcasts. She started thinking about other details, like an Instagram account and a tagline.
REAL-LIFE PROBLEMS WILL COME UP; OPERATE FROM A POSITION OF STRENGTH
Zavala says the attorney came in really handy when someone tried to open an organization that was awfully similar to hers. She says she was able to say, “Stop that.”
“And knowing that your attorney has your back, that’s priceless.”
When the pandemic hit, she, again, found the value in having an attorney.
TheLatinaPro® was supposed to have an event two weeks after news reports were coming out about a deadly virus that was starting to spread.
Zavala had already paid a deposit for the venue.
“And I was like, I don’t feel comfortable bringing people together.”
So she spoke to the venue and told them, “I need to get back this money back because I’m going to give it back to people that already purchased tickets.”
They told her no.
Zavala’s attorney got involved and sent a letter on her behalf to the chain.
Zavala says, “I would’ve just paid.”
She says the venue was going to make her sign a document agreeing to have the event within one year.
We all know the coronavirus lasted much longer.
She says, “I would’ve lost that money. And that’s what the attorney is for – to make sure… you don’t fight your own battles.”
UNDERSTAND YOUR BRAND ON A DEEPER LEVEL
Zavala says she wasn’t fully aware of branding and what that encompassed until she hired a branding expert.
“She made me understand my brand because I just kept saying that LatinaPro® was everybody. All Latinas.”
The branding expert told her, “Yes, everybody should come. But let’s look at what you have already, what you’ve built… age range, even language.”
FIND HELPERS WHO BELIEVE IN YOUR MISSION
There are also the people who Zavala says have been critical in helping TheLatinaPro® grow. She calls them “Las Embajadoras” (“The Ambassadors”).
They’re business owners or corporate professionals who volunteer their time to TheLatinaPro®. They usually arrive at 5 a.m. the day of an event to set up and are the last ones to leave. Zavala tries to thank them in different ways. But they won't even accept $10 for gas.
“They are so committed because they see the vision is collective. It’s like all of us working towards the same purpose.”
Zavala understands it because throughout her life, she says, “I’ve always been the volunteer. I’ll get there early, and I’ll put up the banners. Or I’ll help with the registration. I think I always liked the whole event scene and getting to meet new people.”
It’s what naturally led her to start her networking group, even though she didn’t set out to make it an official business.
"Las Embajadoras" - The Ambassadors (Photo credit: MSP Branding)
HELPING OTHERS CONNECT “PAYS IT FORWARD”
It’s why Zavala says, “I feel it’s not just a purpose now. It’s a responsibility.”
More than ever, Zavala is determined to continue the networking group and the connections it provides so that it serves as “a step for someone to reach their full potential.”
INSPIRATION FOR THIS ISSUE:
You may have an idea for a business, but until you’ve started it, you won’t realize all of the things involved. Some of the expenses (or “investments”, depending on how you view them) may seem pricey, especially when you have limited funds.
That’s why I wanted to give real-life examples of how certain expenses, in the beginning, could help save you headaches later.
Theory is one thing; I believe in practical examples.
Annia Zavala shared how she was able to put certain expenses into real-life use.
I hope this provided a “checklist” of sorts for you.
It certainly does NOT mean you have to spend on what Zavala did.
Each business is different.
But it gives you a framework of landmines you might face as a business owner, as well as the types of professionals, paid and unpaid, who can make a difference in your business.
And that, I believe, is priceless.
🌴Be sure to subscribe, if you haven't already.
🌴Share the article. Our community is all about helping each other out and paying it forward.
🌴Let's connect on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
🌴 Thank you for reading Generation Si! 😻 #theskyisNOTthelimit
#UnidosSomosMás (United, We're More) (Photo Credit: Eddy Lara Fotógrafo)