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Season 3 of the On the Job Podcast Launches with a New Episode!

By Job Journey on Thursday, May 9, 2019

We’re excited to announce the season three launch of Express Employment Professionals’ On the Job Podcast with a brand-new episode!

Season 3, Episode 1

Healthy Roots
Meet Yelitsa, a next-level, twenty-something entrepreneur who started her own company, Healthy Roots, to teach young black girls about natural hair. Listen to the emotional ride of starting your own company when you decide to put yourself out there, kick open doors, make connections, and plant seeds.

Listen to the new episode!

Don’t miss an episode!
Jobs give us a connection to our communities and the ability to provide for ourselves and our families. Your work may be your passion or it could just be the way you make ends meet. Each week, On the Job will share stories about the pursuit of work by delving into the employment situations people from all walks of life face each day.

Download the On the Job podcast on iTunes or anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts. And, be sure to check back next week for the next episode!

On the Job Podcast

On the Job Podcast – Forget the Big City … It’s the Country Life for Me

By Job Journey on Thursday, March 1, 2018

In this week’s episode of On the Job, we hear from Katelyn and Brendan Foley, a husband and wife team who had enough of the corporate rat-race in New York City, so they packed up and headed for the Hudson Valley to begin new lives as farmers. In just two short years, they started their own business, the Hoofprint Cheese Company, while still working day jobs to pay the bills. Listen to the full episode to hear more about this young couple working to turn the Hoofprint Cheese Company into their full-time dream.

Jobs give us a connection to our communities and the ability to provide for ourselves and our families. Your work may be your passion or it could just be the way you make ends meet. Each week, On the Job will share stories about the pursuit of work by delving into the employment situations people from all walks of life face each day.Don’t miss an episode!
Download the On the Job podcast on iTunes or anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts. And, be sure to check back next week for the next episode!

Career Options

Entrepreneurship: Do You Have What it Takes?

By Job Journey on Monday, July 11, 2016

If you haven’t noticed, the job market is changing. From a renewed emphasis on high-skilled jobs, like machine operators and registered nurses, to the growing number of opportunities for freelance work, there’s no doubt that the traditional path to career success has transformed.

For many, the route to achieving their dreams will be through entrepreneurship. The question for anyone considering making the jump to being a business owner is simple: Do I have what it takes?

Knowledge
Starting a business from the ground up is difficult enough, but if you don’t have knowledge about the product, service, or industry that you are getting into, the odds are increasingly against you. One of the wisest investments to make during the initial stages of entrepreneurship is growing your knowledge of the venture you’re about to undertake.

Whether that is learning more about the process of starting a small business, including loans and any licenses needed, or discovering how franchising works, having a solid foundation of information is fundamental to your success.

Do you understand everything there is to know about the product you’d like to sell or the problem you’d like to solve? If not, it’s probably not the right time to invest the energy and money needed to become an entrepreneur.

Passion
No matter the business you want to begin, you’re going to need an almost reckless desire to make it happen. With purpose and a passion to succeed, you’ll be able to overcome the various obstacles and trials that will come your way. Without that desire, the road to entrepreneurial success will be a dead end and leave you with a bitter taste in your mouth and a sense of failure.

There may be people in your life, even close family and friends, who think you’re crazy for taking this leap into the unknown. But, if you begin the journey with an unrelenting desire to see your idea through to the end, there’s no one who can stop you from achieving your dream.

One surprising reason the most successful entrepreneurs have a genuine passion for what they do: failure.

No matter the industry or the time period, from Henry Ford to Colonel Sanders to Soichiro Honda to Richard Branson to Oprah Winfrey to Elon Musk, the passion-filled pursuit of success through the adversity of failure has led the world’s greatest entrepreneurs to their accomplishments.

Support
Finally, one of the most common denominators among entrepreneurs who have what it takes is a support system. This group of people and the organizations that surround you during the entrepreneurial process play a vital role in both your short and long-term success.

Whether it’s a spouse who puts their trust in you, a friend who invests money in your venture, or a mentor who has been through this already, each are an important member of your support team. Not only are they needed to help you get through the challenges of starting your own business, but the saying really is true, ”Victories taste much sweeter when they are experienced with others.”

Find out if you’re ready to become an entrepreneur and which path is right for you. Check out this quiz from the Express Franchising blog.

Have you ever considered starting your own business? Are you currently an entrepreneur? Let us know in the comments section below.

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Uncategorized

DIY – Skip the Career Ladder

By Job Journey on Friday, October 24, 2014

DIYcareer_web

From home repair projects to car tune ups and crafts, we live in a do-it-yourself world. If a traditional career path doesn’t seem as appealing to you as owning your own business, why not join the DIY craze when it comes to your career?

Take the Elevator to Get There Faster

Today, most young employees have an entrepreneurial spirit. So, if you’re really driven and want to skip the career ladder, consider taking the elevator straight to the top of business ownership. According to Entrepreneur, 71% of Millennials working in a corporate environment want to become a business owner. One reason is because of the freedom that comes along with being the boss.

A recent Movin’ On Up poll also asked readers if they considered starting a business. Almost 20% of respondents said they already own their own business, while 17% were in the process of starting their business. Nearly half (46%) of respondents said they would like to start their own business, but don’t know where to begin.

How You Can Make It Happen

If you don’t know where to start, consider contacting The U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA offers a variety of online resources and training, as well as assistance with creating a business plan. You can also sign up at SBA.gov to receive helpful business tips and information on upcoming events in your area.

You may consider starting a side gig to test the waters of owning a business before you jump in with both feet.

And if you’re currently working, continue giving it your best while at the office. You might acquire additional skills while on the job. Keep working on your hobby after hours until your hobby takes off and becomes your career.

Stability of Franchising

The Kauffman Foundation also conducted a survey on Millennials who either want to start a business or have already started one. According to Kauffman Foundation president and CEO Carl Schramm, “Millennials recognize that entrepreneurship is the key to reviving the economy.”

If you have the drive, franchising might be another great option. With franchising, you get to be the boss, but you have the support system of a national or global franchise system. Express Employment Professionals is one of the fastest growing franchises in North America. For more information about owning an Express franchise, visit ExpressFranchising.com.

Have you started down the DIY road? Are you taking additional training to make business ownership a reality? Share with us in the comments section below.

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Career Options Work/Life Balance

5 Reasons to Start a Side Gig

By Job Journey on Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Are you a crafty person, a talented photographer, or someone who loves pets? If you have a professional skill or passion, you may want to consider launching a side gig. Side gigs, or side jobs, are commonplace for many of today’s workers. In fact, according to The Millennial Survey 2014 by Deloitte, 70% of Millennials – those ages 18-34 – want to start their own business. And, in a recent Movin’ On Up poll, 46% of respondents said they’d like to own a business but didn’t know where to begin. Whether it’s hosting a show at a local comedy club, operating a lawn mowing business, or selling handmade products, second jobs can be beneficial in many ways. So, here are five reasons why starting a side gig might be right for you.

Supplement Your Income
It can sometimes be difficult, especially if you’re unemployed and looking for a job, to make ends meet every month. Starting a side job can bring in extra income and offer new ways to make money. If you have a knack for knitting, painting, or crafting, for example, opening an Etsy site may help you earn additional income selling products you already enjoy making. Or, if you like pets, offering your services as a dog walker or pet sitter can also bring in additional income.

Good for Your Resume
Any time you can add experience to your resume, you should. And, when you add phrases like “Owned and operated a childcare business,” or “Tutored students in English,” potential employers will notice your drive, independence, and entrepreneurial spirit. It’s not always easy to run your own side job, and hiring managers will likely recognize the effort you put into your business as well as your flexibility.

Impress Your Boss
A side job can also impress your current employer. According to Kimberly Palmer, author of The Economy of You, “What I found is that increasingly, employers welcome and even encourage their employees’ side-gigs … they see their employees learning new skills, including valuable entrepreneurial, e-commerce, marketing, and social media skills, on their own time, and then bringing those abilities back to their main employer.”

But, if you’re currently employed, don’t let a side job get in the way of work. While your side job might be exciting, don’t ignore your primary job. And, don’t use your employer’s time or resources to work on your side gig. Follow your company’s guidelines for outside activities and remain respectful to your employer.

Creative Expression and Gratification
The initial motivation for starting a side job is often money. But, it may become something more as you realize the things you’re making or doing are allowing you the freedom of creative expression. If you’re a talented photographer, consider opening your own business. Start by offering your friends free or discounted photography sessions to build your portfolio, and soon you’ll enjoy the personal and financial rewards your new side business brings.

And, when your services or products help improve the lives of others, your side job may become a very gratifying part of your life. If you love teaching, find a subject you’re particularly knowledgeable in and help others learn it. For example, if you’re really good at a foreign language, you might look for tutoring opportunities at local schools. Tutoring students can bring in extra income, and you’ll also feel gratification for helping others succeed.

Learn New Skills
You don’t need to have a talent or skill in mind before starting your side gig. In fact, launching a side job may help you learn new skills. You may not be a great blogger, but if you start your own blog and research, educate yourself, and gain knowledge on the topic, your writing may grow stronger. If you like to design websites, but don’t know everything about the business, learn all that you can and gain hands-on experience. Study successful people in the industry, join community forums or groups, and watch what others are doing to be successful. Learning new skills can make you more employable. So, be willing to try new things. According to Palmer, “It’s so easy to launch a side gig today. If you have an inkling for something you might want to do, just get started.”

Don’t Give Up
Remember, not every side job will be the next big thing. But, don’t give up if setbacks occur. With every new business venture, there will be speed bumps along the way. The key to success is not letting those speed bumps stop you on your journey.

Have you started your own side gig? Do you have any tips for running a successful side business? Share with us in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Career Advancement Reader Surveys

The Results Are In: Have You Considered Starting Your Own Business?

By Job Journey on Monday, July 7, 2014

In a recent poll, we asked if you’ve ever considered opening your own business. The results show that, overall, Movin’ On Up readers either want to start their own business, are in the process of doing so, or already own a business. In fact, 46% of respondents stated they would like to start their own business but didn’t know where to begin. Nearly 20% of respondents already own their own business, while 17% were in the process of starting their business. Respondents who thought owning their own business was not financially feasible for them or did not appeal to them represented slightly more than 8% and 7%, respectively.

Because the majority of Movin’ On Up readers desire to open their own business but don’t know where to start, we wanted to provide a few helpful tips for starting your own small business.

The Small Business Association

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is a great resource for small businesses in the United States. Whether you have questions about grants and loans, business plans, marketing, or virtually anything else about starting a small business, the SBA website is the place to go.

Franchising

A great way to own a business while having a large support system behind you is to buy a franchise. Franchises have access to training, help services, and other benefits that can simplify business ownership. If you’re interested in a franchise, this article breaks down the search for a franchise into a few simple steps.

Express Employment Professionals is the largest franchised staffing company in North America. For information about owning an Express franchise, visit ExpressFranchising.com.

Starting a business is something that many people want to do. However, it can be difficult to get started. Do you have any tips for starting a business? Have you experienced success with a small business? Let us know in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.