Getting Started in Champaign-Urbana
Can I just say that owning a small business in Champaign-Urbana has been one of the best experiences?! Even despite everything going on in the world right now with COVID-19, everything I say about launching still rings true in our current circumstances. There are so many businesses supporting other businesses during this time by purchasing gift cards to raffle off, promoting each other on social media, or simply getting together virtually to check in. It’s been refreshing and given me some hope during this uncertain time of life!
When I launched I immediately began meeting with event vendors of all types- venues, DJs, florists, caterers. I also met with the Champaign Chamber of Commerce and other local networking groups. Our town is definitely one of the best communities to launch a small business in. Why? SUPPORT! Support during the good (starting something brand new) and support during the bad (a worldwide pandemic). Every single person I met with made sure to connect me with someone they thought would be valuable. In addition, they genuinely wanted to help me grow and see me prosper. How cool!
If you can’t tell or don’t know me yet, you will quickly learn I am a total people person. I love meeting new people and learning about their lives and what got them into where they are now. Meeting with all different types of people (event related and not) was and still is so fun to me! I think that’s why the support has meant so much.
When I first had the idea to launch my own event planning company I wasn’t 100% convinced. Honestly it was scary to “put myself out there” in the event I failed (no pun intended) and everyone saw my failure. I really love what I do and if this community didn’t have a need for my services I knew I would be hurt by that. Not because I was taking it personally but because my love for event planning was squished. However, this hasn’t been the case at all. I could still fail but it was totally worth it and failure gives you a great starting point.
So to wrap this post up, my tips for launching a small business in the Champaign-Urbana area?
Network. What drives you to try a new restaurant or visit a new store? Someone told you about it! It’s actually really fascinating how vital word-of-mouth is for most small businesses. Therefore, networking is HUGE. Meeting people from all different backgrounds is not only interesting but also important in growing your business. Make it fun by joining networking groups or setting up one-on-one coffee chats if big groups intimidate you. Then you can attend large meetings together!
Utilize local tools. Like I mentioned before, this community genuinely wants to see small businesses succeed. There are so many free tools to utilize as you launch and figure out what it looks like to run your business in the Champaign-Urbana area. For example, the Champaign Chamber of Commerce has a whole web page full of tips and tricks to launching your business. They even set you up with a business mentor. And this is all free even if you’re not a Chamber member.
Don’t let fear control you. I was nervous to start my event planning company because of the fear of failure. It sounds cliche but it’s the honest truth. If you are considering starting a business of your own or doing anything outside our comfort zone, do not let fear control you. I read this in a book and it really stuck with me: would you rather tell your grand kids you didn’t start a business because you were afraid of the unknown? or that you started your business, had the best time while it lasted, and even though it didn’t work out you learned valuable lessons for the next stage of life? I don’t know about you but I’d rather be the example of trying, doing, failing, and trying again rather than not doing.
With some down time suddenly upon us, maybe you’re finding yourself dreaming up your next big gig. Or maybe you are not exactly sure what’s going to happen to you and your business during COVID-19. Regardless of where you find yourself right now, I hope you found something I said valuable and encouraging.
If you have an upcoming event you’d like help with, have questions regarding event planning or owning a small business, or simply want to meet and talk about life….never hesitate to reach out! And if anything, thanks for reading!
-Maggie
P.S. Thanks to Lauren Winterbotham Photography and Holly Birch Photo for these killer shots.