Running a small business is no easy feat. Whether you’re just starting out or have been managing your company for years, the journey comes with numerous challenges. To ensure that your business thrives and grows, it’s crucial that you, as an entrepreneur, continually evolve and expand your skill set. While going back to school may not be a viable option due to time constraints or financial concerns, there are plenty of resources available online that allow you to learn and upgrade your skills at your own pace, without breaking the bank.
We will explore two important areas for small business owners to focus on: improving your productivity and creating an effective marketing strategy. Both of these are crucial for sustaining and growing your business in today’s competitive market. By investing time in enhancing these skills, you’ll not only streamline your operations but also position your business for long-term success.
1. Boost Your Productivity and Achieve Success
When it comes to achieving business success, one of the most important factors is how organized and efficient you are as a business owner. The more you can manage your time and resources effectively, the more you can accomplish. A key to achieving greater productivity is learning the tools and techniques to streamline your work processes and stay on top of your daily tasks. This will enable you to focus on the bigger picture and growth opportunities.
The Balance Small Business offers a free Business Success Course that is ideal for small business owners looking to boost their productivity. This course covers time management, task delegation, and team management—all crucial skills for managing a business effectively. In addition to these practical business skills, the course also focuses on building self-confidence, which is an essential trait for any entrepreneur. A confident business owner can make decisions more decisively and lead their team with greater assurance.
The Business Success Course is designed to be highly practical. It includes lessons and exercises to help you apply the concepts in your day-to-day operations. For example, one section covers time management techniques, helping you learn how to prioritize tasks and set realistic deadlines. Another section focuses on delegation skills, teaching you how to assign tasks to team members based on their strengths, allowing you to focus on strategic decision-making. Additionally, the course covers networking strategies, helping you expand your professional connections and grow your business network.
This course also emphasizes the importance of building your self-confidence. As a business owner, the confidence to take risks, try new things, and stay calm under pressure is key to overcoming challenges and keeping your business on track. By taking this course, you’ll gain not only the tools to improve your productivity but also the mindset needed to push your business to new heights.
2. Marketing Strategy
One of the pillars of running a successful small business is having a strong marketing strategy. Whether you’re selling products or services, you need a solid marketing plan that aligns with your business goals and helps you connect with your target audience. Marketing is no longer just about ads and flyers—it involves creating a meaningful relationship with your customers, understanding their needs, and offering solutions that resonate with them.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers a fantastic Marketing Strategy course through its OpenCourseWare platform. This free course is ideal for entrepreneurs looking to enhance their marketing efforts by learning the strategies that top marketers use to attract customers and build brand loyalty. Through this course, you will learn the fundamentals of marketing, including market research, customer segmentation, brand positioning, and competitive analysis.
The course is comprehensive, providing in-depth lessons on how to develop a marketing plan that aligns with your business objectives. One key focus of the course is understanding how to position your brand effectively in a crowded market. The course will help you analyze your business’s strengths and weaknesses and identify ways to use those strengths to create a competitive advantage. It will also teach you how to analyze competitors, so you can find gaps in the market and differentiate your brand.
Another important component of the Marketing Strategy course is customer segmentation. Not all customers are the same, and understanding how to target the right audience can greatly improve the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. By learning how to segment your market, you can tailor your marketing messages and offerings to specific groups, increasing your chances of conversion and customer loyalty.
Finally, this course teaches how to measure the effectiveness of your marketing strategies, a vital aspect of any business. Being able to evaluate the performance of your marketing campaigns allows you to make informed adjustments and continuously improve your marketing efforts. By the end of the course, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to create a marketing strategy that connects directly with your business goals, ultimately leading to sustained growth and a competitive edge.
3. Learning the Basics (and Beyond) of Excel
In today’s data-driven world, Excel is one of the most powerful tools any small business owner can have in their arsenal. From tracking expenses to analyzing customer data, Excel can help you make sense of complex business information and make more informed decisions. However, many small business owners don’t fully leverage Excel’s potential, which can lead to inefficiencies and lost opportunities.
Udemy offers a series of free Excel Courses that cater to all levels, from beginners to advanced users. Whether you’re just starting with Excel or looking to expand your skills, you’ll find a course that suits your needs. In the introductory courses, you’ll learn the basic functions such as creating spreadsheets, organizing data, and performing basic calculations.
For more advanced users, Udemy also offers courses on using Excel for data analysis and financial modeling. These skills are crucial for any business owner who wants to make informed decisions based on data. Excel’s ability to analyze large sets of data and generate reports can save you countless hours and help you make better business decisions.
Moreover, mastering Excel can help you automate many routine tasks, such as budgeting, inventory management, and tracking sales. With the ability to create templates, you can save time on repetitive tasks, allowing you to focus on growing your business. As an entrepreneur, this is an invaluable skill to have, as it will not only streamline your operations but also help you make more data-driven decisions.
Excel is one of the most versatile tools available to small business owners, and mastering it will help you manage everything from finance to customer data more efficiently. The free Excel courses offered by Udemy are a great starting point for any business owner looking to improve their data management and analysis skills.
4. Selling Your Business
At some point in your entrepreneurial journey, you may decide that it’s time to move on from your business—whether you want to retire, take on a new venture, or simply exit the market for personal reasons. Understanding how to sell your business effectively is an essential skill for any entrepreneur. Without a solid plan in place, the process of selling a business can be overwhelming and complex.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a free online course on Selling Your Business. This concise 30-minute course is designed to help business owners understand the basics of preparing for the sale of their business. It covers important topics such as defining a business exit strategy, preparing sales agreements, and closing the deal.
Having an exit strategy in place is critical for any entrepreneur. Whether you plan to sell your business in the future or pass it down to someone else, preparing in advance can ensure that you get the best possible value for your business. The course walks you through the steps of creating a business exit plan, ensuring that you’re ready when the right opportunity comes along. It also covers the legal and financial considerations that need to be addressed before you finalize the sale.
For small business owners who are considering selling their businesses, the SBA’s course provides a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the process. It will also help you understand how to structure the sale, create sales agreements, and handle negotiations. By taking this course, you’ll be better prepared to make informed decisions when the time comes to sell your business.
5. Accounting and Financial Management
Understanding your business’s finances is essential for long-term sustainability and growth. Without a solid grasp of accounting principles and financial management, it can be difficult to make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, and ensure profitability. Whether you’re tracking your expenses, preparing for tax season, or evaluating investment opportunities, having financial literacy is a vital skill for every small business owner.
EdX offers a comprehensive range of free online courses in accounting and financial management, many of which come from prestigious institutions such as Columbia University, the University of Maryland, and Babson College. These courses cover a broad spectrum of topics, from the fundamentals of financial accounting to more advanced financial management concepts.
The Accounting and Financial Management course offered by EdX provides an in-depth exploration of how to read and interpret financial statements, manage cash flow, and make data-driven decisions based on your company’s financial health. Understanding financial statements such as balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements is crucial for assessing the overall performance of your business and identifying areas for improvement.
The course also dives into cost management techniques, which help you understand how to control costs while maximizing profitability. Additionally, you’ll learn how to make financial projections and create budgets, which can help you plan for future growth and navigate any financial challenges that may arise.
By taking these free accounting and financial management courses, you’ll be able to confidently manage your business’s finances, track your expenditures, and make informed decisions that ensure your business stays on solid financial footing.
6. Content Marketing
In today’s digital age, content marketing has become one of the most effective ways to build brand awareness, engage with your audience, and drive sales. Content marketing involves creating valuable, relevant content that resonates with your target audience, ultimately helping you establish trust and authority in your industry. Whether you’re creating blog posts, videos, social media posts, or newsletters, content marketing plays a critical role in reaching and engaging your customers.
HubSpot Academy offers a free Content Marketing course that’s designed to help small business owners learn the fundamentals of content creation and distribution. This course provides a structured approach to understanding the importance of content marketing and offers strategies to implement it effectively in your business.
One of the key takeaways from the course is learning how to create a content strategy. This involves understanding your audience, identifying what content they find valuable, and developing a plan for delivering that content across various channels. The course also covers how to create compelling blog posts, videos, and other content formats that will capture your audience’s attention and keep them engaged with your brand.
Another important aspect of content marketing is measuring the effectiveness of your content. The HubSpot course teaches you how to track key performance indicators (KPIs), such as website traffic, lead generation, and engagement metrics, to evaluate the success of your content marketing efforts. By understanding what content resonates most with your audience, you can make data-driven decisions about future content creation and distribution strategies.
Additionally, the course provides tips on how to repurpose content across multiple platforms. For example, you can turn a blog post into a social media post or use an infographic in an email campaign. This allows you to maximize the value of your content and reach a wider audience without constantly reinventing the wheel.
By completing HubSpot Academy’s Content Marketing course, you’ll be well-equipped to create a content strategy that drives engagement, builds your brand, and supports the growth of your business.
7. Introduction to Social Media Advertising
Social media advertising is one of the most powerful tools available for small business owners to connect with potential customers, raise brand awareness, and increase sales. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn offer targeted advertising options that allow businesses to reach highly specific audiences. However, understanding how to create effective social media ad campaigns that deliver results is crucial for success.
Buffer offers a free Introduction to Social Media Advertising course, available through SkillShare, that provides an in-depth overview of how to create and manage successful social media advertising campaigns. This course covers all the essentials, from setting campaign objectives and defining your target audience to optimizing your ads for better performance.
One of the most important aspects of social media advertising is setting clear campaign goals. Whether you’re looking to increase website traffic, generate leads, or boost sales, having a defined goal for each campaign will help you create targeted, effective ads. The Buffer course teaches you how to establish these goals and measure your results using key metrics such as click-through rates (CTR) and return on investment (ROI).
In addition to defining your goals, the course teaches you how to identify and segment your audience. Social media platforms offer detailed targeting options based on demographics, interests, behaviors, and more. By understanding your ideal customer and targeting your ads to the right people, you can increase the likelihood of achieving your desired outcomes.
Another key element of social media advertising is optimizing your ads for long-term success. The Buffer course covers strategies for A/B testing, analyzing ad performance, and making adjustments based on the data you collect. This allows you to refine your campaigns over time and maximize your ad spend, ensuring that your efforts are paying off.
By completing the Introduction to Social Media Advertising course, you’ll gain the skills necessary to create and manage social media campaigns that effectively promote your business and connect with your target audience.
8. Leadership Skills in Business
Effective leadership is one of the most important aspects of running a successful business. As the business owner, you are responsible for setting the tone, inspiring your team, and ensuring that your organization runs smoothly. Leadership isn’t just about giving orders or making decisions—it’s about guiding your team, fostering a positive work culture, and ensuring that everyone feels motivated and valued.
Alison offers a free Leadership Skills in Business course that is ideal for small business owners looking to strengthen their leadership abilities. This course focuses on various leadership techniques that help you better manage your team, create an effective organizational structure, and instill a sense of purpose in your employees.
One of the key components of this course is understanding the different leadership styles and how to apply them in various business scenarios. Whether you prefer a more authoritative leadership style or a collaborative approach, this course helps you understand how to adapt your leadership style based on your team’s needs. You will learn about the principles of effective communication, which are essential for any leader who needs to convey their vision, provide feedback, and build relationships with employees, clients, and stakeholders.
Another crucial aspect of leadership covered in this course is how to establish clear goals and expectations for your team. This helps ensure that everyone is aligned and working toward a common purpose, which is essential for productivity and success. You’ll also explore strategies for conflict resolution and managing challenges within the team, allowing you to maintain a positive and focused work environment.
Beyond day-to-day management, this course will also teach you how to create a company culture that encourages innovation, teamwork, and accountability. As a small business owner, creating the right work culture can greatly impact your team’s morale, engagement, and overall performance. When your team is motivated and aligned with the company’s mission, they will perform better and contribute more effectively to achieving business goals.
By completing the Leadership Skills in Business course from Alison, you’ll be equipped with the tools necessary to be a more effective leader, make better decisions, and create a positive work environment that drives your business forward.
9. Understanding SEO: A Key to Online Success
In today’s digital landscape, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is essential for businesses to improve their visibility and attract more traffic to their websites. SEO helps businesses optimize their website content, structure, and other elements to rank higher on search engines like Google. Higher rankings lead to increased visibility, which ultimately results in more traffic, leads, and conversions.
Moz’s free SEO Training Course is an excellent resource for small business owners who want to understand the basics of SEO and how it can benefit their business. This course breaks down SEO into easily digestible modules and covers everything from keyword research and on-page optimization to link building and content strategies.
One of the fundamental aspects of SEO is keyword research. This involves identifying the words and phrases that your target audience is searching for in relation to your business. The Moz course provides practical guidance on how to perform keyword research, select the best keywords, and integrate them into your content in a natural and effective way. By optimizing your website for the right keywords, you increase the chances of appearing in search results when potential customers are looking for your products or services.
In addition to keyword research, the course covers on-page optimization. This includes optimizing your website’s content, title tags, meta descriptions, and images to make your website more search-engine-friendly. The Moz course also highlights the importance of creating high-quality, relevant content that provides value to your audience. Content is king when it comes to SEO, and the better your content, the higher your chances of ranking well on search engines.
Another essential part of SEO that the course addresses is link building. Link building refers to acquiring backlinks from other reputable websites that point to your site. These backlinks act as a vote of confidence from other sites and signal to search engines that your content is valuable. The Moz course will teach you how to develop a strategy for acquiring quality backlinks that help improve your website’s authority and ranking.
Finally, the Moz course covers how to measure and analyze your SEO efforts. With tools like Google Analytics and Moz’s own analytics platform, you can track your website’s performance and make data-driven decisions to improve your SEO strategy over time. This ability to analyze data is crucial for continuously improving your SEO efforts and adapting to changes in search engine algorithms.
By taking the SEO Training Course from Moz, you will gain the knowledge and skills to optimize your website, increase your online visibility, and drive more organic traffic to your business. SEO is a long-term strategy, but by implementing the right techniques, you’ll position your business for success in the digital world.
Importance of Combining Leadership and SEO
While leadership and SEO may seem like two distinct areas of focus, they are actually highly interconnected when it comes to the success of your business. Strong leadership sets the foundation for a productive, motivated team, while SEO helps ensure that your business reaches the right audience online. Together, these skills can give your business the competitive edge it needs to thrive.
A strong leader can effectively communicate the importance of SEO to the rest of the team and ensure that everyone is aligned on business goals. Whether you have an in-house marketing team or outsource SEO efforts to an agency, your leadership skills will help you manage these relationships, set clear expectations, and monitor performance. As an entrepreneur, it’s essential to understand SEO’s impact on your business so that you can make informed decisions about how to allocate resources and prioritize online marketing efforts.
Furthermore, as a leader, you should cultivate a culture of continuous learning within your organization. SEO is an ever-evolving field, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques is crucial for long-term success. Encouraging your team to stay informed about SEO best practices will help ensure that your business remains competitive in the online marketplace.
At the same time, good leadership will help you manage and leverage your business’s SEO efforts more effectively. By setting clear goals for your marketing and SEO teams, you ensure that every action taken is aligned with your overarching business strategy.
10. Supply Chain Sustainability: Adapting to a Changing World
As a business owner, the supply chain is one of the most crucial aspects of your operation. It’s the backbone of product delivery, and maintaining a robust, efficient, and sustainable supply chain is key to staying competitive. With growing consumer demand for environmentally conscious and ethically sourced products, sustainable supply chain management has become more than just a buzzword—it’s a necessity.
OpenLearn’s Supply Chain Sustainability course is a fantastic resource for entrepreneurs who want to understand the social, financial, and environmental aspects of running a sustainable supply chain. This free course dives into the importance of making ethical decisions when it comes to sourcing, transporting, and delivering products. By learning the fundamental principles of supply chain sustainability, you can identify areas where your business can minimize waste, reduce carbon emissions, and create more environmentally friendly practices within your supply chain.
The course explores several critical elements of sustainable supply chain management, such as ethical sourcing of materials, reducing environmental impacts, and creating fair and responsible labor practices throughout your supply chain. One of the first things you’ll learn is the importance of transparency in the supply chain. Customers today are more likely to support businesses that can demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices. Whether it’s through sourcing materials from eco-friendly suppliers or ensuring fair labor practices, being transparent about your supply chain processes builds trust with consumers and strengthens your brand’s reputation.
You’ll also explore how to assess the risks associated with your supply chain and develop strategies to mitigate potential disruptions. This part of the course emphasizes the importance of planning and managing the long-term sustainability of your supply chain, as well as identifying potential environmental and social impacts that can harm the planet or society. Learning to balance financial success with sustainability is key for businesses looking to adapt to modern expectations.
The course also addresses how to build resilience into your supply chain, which is increasingly important as businesses face the pressures of global disruptions, such as supply chain bottlenecks, geopolitical shifts, and climate change. By understanding how to incorporate sustainability into every aspect of your supply chain, you’ll position your business for long-term success in a world where responsible business practices are increasingly prioritized.
By the end of this course, you will have a solid understanding of how to implement sustainable practices in your supply chain, how to assess your current operations, and how to build a sustainable, resilient supply chain that aligns with your business goals and values. You’ll also have a better grasp of the economic and ethical benefits of adopting sustainability initiatives, helping you make more informed decisions moving forward.
Ongoing Journey of Learning and Business Growth
While mastering the technical aspects of running a business, such as leadership, SEO, and supply chain sustainability, is crucial, the journey of learning doesn’t end there. Successful entrepreneurs are those who never stop evolving. To keep growing your business and staying competitive, it’s essential to continue broadening your skill set.
This is where the importance of taking online courses, attending webinars, and reading industry-related articles comes into play. The world of business is constantly changing, and by keeping up-to-date with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices, you position yourself as a forward-thinking entrepreneur.
Continual Learning for Personal and Professional Growth
It’s no secret that running a small business comes with many challenges. But one of the most important aspects of overcoming these challenges is building your personal and professional growth. By engaging in free online courses, you gain access to valuable knowledge that can help you solve business problems and optimize your operations.
Some key areas to focus on include time management, team building, customer service, and digital marketing. Platforms like Udemy, Alison, and HubSpot Academy offer a wide range of free courses that allow you to develop expertise in specific areas relevant to your business. These courses can help you identify new opportunities for improvement, whether you’re looking to optimize your operations, enhance your marketing efforts, or streamline your financial management.
An example is Udemy’s comprehensive library of business courses, which includes free courses on various topics, such as project management, customer relationship management, and business growth strategies. By participating in these courses, you not only develop a more diverse skill set but also stay current with industry trends and innovations. This continuous learning approach helps you tackle problems head-on and fosters a growth mindset that drives your business forward.
One critical skill to develop, for example, is project management. As a business owner, managing projects and resources effectively is crucial to maintaining a competitive edge. By learning how to break down projects into manageable steps, set deadlines, and assign tasks, you’ll improve your business operations, ultimately boosting productivity and reducing inefficiencies. A course on project management can teach you essential skills that help you keep track of progress and ensure that your team is working toward clear objectives.
Similarly, digital marketing is an area where small business owners should focus their attention. The landscape of marketing has changed dramatically in recent years, and understanding digital marketing strategies—whether it’s content marketing, social media advertising, or email campaigns—can greatly benefit your business. With many free resources available, there’s no reason not to invest some time in learning these essential skills.
Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement
The best businesses foster a culture of continuous improvement, not only in their products and services but also in their people. By encouraging your team to take part in online learning and self-improvement, you empower them to contribute to the business’s success. This creates an environment where innovation is encouraged, new ideas are welcomed, and everyone strives to learn more and perform better.
Implementing a culture of continuous learning within your business has several benefits. First, it helps improve team performance by equipping employees with new skills and tools. When employees grow professionally, they feel more valued, leading to increased motivation and job satisfaction. Second, fostering a learning environment helps your business stay adaptable and resilient in the face of change. With the rapidly evolving nature of business, organizations that commit to continuous improvement are better able to handle challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Moreover, by offering learning opportunities to your team, you position your business as a place of growth and development, which can help you attract top talent. In today’s competitive job market, professionals are looking for more than just a paycheck—they want a place where they can continue to grow and develop. Providing access to online courses and training programs will make your business a more attractive place to work, improving your chances of retaining high-quality employees.
Expanding Your Knowledge in Key Business Areas
Finally, as a small business owner, it’s important to continually expand your knowledge in key areas that contribute to the overall health of your business. These areas might include financial management, customer service, human resources, or even legal issues.
Free online courses from institutions like EdX, HubSpot Academy, and MIT OpenCourseWare can help you deepen your understanding of these topics and stay ahead of the competition. For instance, financial management is an area where many entrepreneurs struggle, and understanding how to properly manage cash flow, expenses, and profits can make or break your business. Through courses on financial management, you’ll learn how to interpret financial statements, create budgets, and make informed financial decisions that positively impact your bottom line.
Additionally, customer service is another crucial aspect of business that can drive growth. Courses focused on improving customer relationships, handling complaints, and delivering exceptional service can help you build customer loyalty and create repeat business. Exceptional customer service often leads to word-of-mouth referrals, which can help expand your business’s reach.
Continuous Learning Journey
Free online courses for small business owners emphasizes the importance of integrating sustainability into your supply chain management and the ongoing journey of learning for personal and professional growth. By taking courses in supply chain sustainability, you can create a more ethical and environmentally responsible business. Likewise, by embracing continuous learning, you can continually expand your skills and knowledge in critical business areas, allowing you to stay ahead of trends, optimize operations, and build a more resilient business.
As you continue to grow as an entrepreneur, remember that the process of learning never ends. With so many free online resources available, there is no excuse not to invest in yourself and your business’s future. By committing to both sustainability and lifelong learning, you can create a business that not only thrives but also adapts to the changing landscape of the modern marketplace. Keep learning, stay curious, and watch your business soar to new heights!
Conclusion
As a small business owner, the path to success is often paved with continuous learning and adaptability. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business for years, your ability to grow as an entrepreneur is just as important as the evolution of your business itself. The world is changing fast—new tools, strategies, and technologies are emerging every day. To stay competitive, it’s essential to keep refining your skills and expanding your knowledge. Luckily, the internet offers an abundance of free courses and resources to help you sharpen your business acumen without the need for a hefty financial investment.
We’ve explored 10 valuable free online courses that can help enhance your capabilities as a small business owner. These courses cover a wide range of areas critical to running a successful business—from boosting productivity and mastering Excel to improving your marketing strategies, financial management, and leadership skills. Additionally, we’ve emphasized the importance of sustainable practices, particularly within your supply chain, which can not only boost your brand’s reputation but also ensure long-term viability in an increasingly eco-conscious market.
A key takeaway from this series is the idea that success in business is not solely about managing operations but also about evolving with the times. Whether it’s adopting a sustainable supply chain, learning how to better manage your finances, or improving your leadership capabilities, every step you take toward becoming a more knowledgeable business owner contributes to the overall health and growth of your company.
The free courses discussed throughout this article provide essential tools and insights that can help you address both immediate challenges and long-term goals. For instance, understanding and implementing SEO techniques can increase your business’s visibility online, while mastering social media advertising helps you connect with your audience in meaningful ways. Meanwhile, enhancing your leadership skills and fostering a culture of continuous learning within your team can improve both productivity and morale.
The importance of supply chain sustainability cannot be overstated in today’s market. Consumers and businesses alike are becoming increasingly focused on the ethical and environmental impacts of their choices. By learning about sustainable supply chain practices, you not only improve your business’s operational efficiency but also contribute to global sustainability efforts, making your business more attractive to conscientious customers and partners.
Moreover, as an entrepreneur, it’s essential to maintain a mindset of lifelong learning. The business landscape is dynamic, and what works today may not necessarily be relevant tomorrow. Whether it’s exploring new marketing strategies, diving deeper into customer service practices, or expanding your knowledge in other areas like human resources or project management, continuous education keeps you agile and ready to adapt to new challenges and opportunities.
As you engage with these free courses, remember that the knowledge you gain will not only make you a better business owner but also a more confident and informed leader. Whether you’re navigating complex financial decisions or refining your brand’s marketing message, the tools and insights you gain will help you build a solid foundation for your business’s success.
In conclusion, the resources available online offer an incredible opportunity to level up your skills and transform your business. The key to long-term success lies in how well you evolve, learn, and implement new strategies and practices. By committing to lifelong learning, you ensure that your business can not only survive but thrive in an ever-changing marketplace. Keep investing in yourself, your business, and your team, and you’ll be better equipped to face whatever challenges come your way. Best of luck on your journey to becoming a more knowledgeable, confident, and successful business owner!