The Ultimate Small Business Model You Can Implement, Post-Quarantine

Since early March of this year, I’ve been steeped in many intense and heart-felt discussions with dozens of business owners, agents, solopreneurs, and displaced people since the quarantine went into effect.

Everyone clearly recognizes that we need to recalibrate as business professionals. 

Recalibrate (v.) - to change the way you do or think about something. (Cambridge Dictionary) 

How do we “recalibrate” ourselves so as to financially fortify ourselves for the future?

This question varies from person to person, but most everyone wants to know HOW to create a sustainable and profitable business. One that cannot be shut off due to a quarantine and arbitrary shutdowns from our governments. 

Turn Off Your Lizard Brain, Open Up Your Creative Mind

The biggest barrier most people will face in the “Post-Quarantine Economy” will be their willingness and adaptability. 

The hunker down mentality - propelled by our ancient lizard brain - will only exacerbate our demise in precarious times like these. 

“I’ve never done that before” is a luxury attitude in 2020. That knee-jerk response must be converted into an extreme urgency of willingness to learn new things and to perform heretofore unthinkable skills. 

Our creative mind must be opened up for us to survive.

“It’s not the lack of resources, it’s your lack of resourcefulness that stops you.” – Tony Robbins

Unprecedented times will require us to initiate unprecedented actions. So much so, that we need to rapidly learn knowledge and skills which we never previously conceived of before our lockdown lifestyle. 

Economies are built on sentiments and needs. Logic rarely determines the value of a brand. So what are the biggest needs right now? What are the key skills and important services that will fly off the shelf like toilet paper and hand sanitizer?

Ideal Business Model Checklist

The qualities listed below are what comprise my checklist for an Ideal Business Model. Such a model that can survive and even thrive for years to come. 

While many small business types and service offerings can fit within my Ideal Business Model, which small business you choose to learn and execute is completely determined by your willingness and adaptability. 

One: Easy & Fast To Learn

“Try to keep bureaucracy to a minimum, and remind your teams that business, as well as life, should be fun.” - Sir Richard Branson 

In stressful times, it can be challenging to learn new skills and know-how. One needs to locate a business that aligns with your not only your goals, but also your mental capacity and timeline for learning. Moreover, is this business one that you can perform?

Two: Can Be Done From Home Or While Traveling 

"Remote work is the future of work." - Alexis Ohanian, Reddit

With a quarantine in place, one is instantly out of business in many instances. An ideal business should be able operate profitably while at home or while traveling.

Three: Recession Proof 

‘“...use a recession as an opportunity — a chance to get more education, become more valuable for your company, start a business, or buy low into the market.” - Jason Schenker, author 

We have now entered a recession in 2020. One that may evolve into a depression. 

Tens of thousands of businesses will be wiped out this year. You want a business which is recession proof. Dozens of businesses survive in a recession. New ones are borne out of hard times, to meet the new needs. 

Four: Can Scale With Relative Ease 

“Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.” - Karen Kaiser Clark, author

You want a business that can scale rather easily and rapidly. Systems for delivery, communication, organization, accounting, integration and marketing have been developed to help you succeed. Make sure you have a business that can interface with modern technology to help you scale.

Five: Easy To Promote & Sell 

“Focus on the core problem your business solves and put out lots of content and enthusiasm and ideas about how to solve that problem.” – Laura Fitton

Any business that will last should have the means to make it known, in a cost-effective manner. Social media is free. Email is extremely affordable and effective. 

Creating content and generating positive online reviews can be done at a low cost, but does require some effort. There are tens of thousands of free videos on YouTube on how to leverage the power of online marketing strategies. Watch and learn.

Be sure you learn from experienced pros in your field on how to promote and sell.

Six: High Profit Margin 

"Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget rule No.1." - Warren Buffett

Look for businesses with a relatively low start-up cost and that can be rendered for a good profit margin. I know a home-improvement architect who works from his own home and has a profit margin of 35%. He makes over $180,000 per year in personal earnings. 

Seven: Can Be Done Part-Time or Full-Time

“Start a part-time business and make as many mistakes as you possibly can while you still have your daytime job.” - Robert Kiyosaki

The vast majority of people who start their business at home as a way to supplement their main source of income. Find a business that can give you some extra cash, even if done part-time. As it grows, then switch to full-time. 

Eight: Community Support 

"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." - Coretta Scott King

Look for a business which has great support from a community. Today, you can find groups on Facebook which share insights and successful actions. 

When you’re beginning, you will make mistakes and have many questions. Everyone experiences this “crawl-walk-run” phenomenon towards success. Often, the road to success takes years. Having a community to lean on speeds up your patch to success. 

Nine: Step-By-Step Systems & Checklists

“Systems run the business and people run the systems.” - Michael Gerber, author

An ideal Business Model already has checklists and systems to follow. Either a franchise type organization offers them, or you can purchase courses and systems which train you on how to succeed in your new profession. 

Organized systems and checklists, when followed, reduce overwhelm and increase forward progress. 

In Conclusion

Our future is filled with just as much opportunity as there are risks. Let me know how I can help.