056 | A slightly different episode as it consists of a coaching call between Alan Donegan from the PopUp Business school and Tallis, who wishes to grow her business and make it profitable. In this episode we cover: • First episode the year: coaching call • Call between Alan Donegan and Tallis on her new business idea • Alan will walk her through ideas to grow her business • Tallis’ business: dance classes for people with Parkinson’s disease • Reasons why dance classes work • Defining who are the customers • Defining who would fund the business • Planning out Tallis’ business model • Alan’s advice to find funding using examples • How to use reports as a pitch for funding • Alan’s tips: finding social value, building an email list, scaling the system • How to show that the business idea works • The importance in adding value to people who fund the business • Where to start with PR • The branding process • The importance of having a website • How ChooseFI will check in every so often • Why and how Talis will start the business frugally • The importance of being very clear who your customer is and how you can help them • How FI helps us become entrepreneurs Alan’s key questions: • Who’s the customer? • Who’s going to fund your business? • What proof do you have that your business works? • What makes your business different to other similar ones? • Don’t sell workshops to people without money • Sell to people who have the same desire to fix the problem as you • How can you give back to the institution/company funding you? • Use a report/survey as data to support your business • What social good does your business achieve? • How could you measure whether the idea works? • Build credibility by involving other people’s stories • Build a list of contacts of your possible customers • How will you brand your business? • How can you minimize the cost? • Are you clear on who your customer is and how you’re helping them? Links from the show: • Episode 30: The Unspoken Lever of FI • Alan Donegan from the PopUp Business School ——————- Thank you for being a part of the ChooseFI community! 🙂 If you want to support us, here are some easy ways: 1) Leave an iTunes review: http://www.choosefi.com/itunes 2) Use our page to sign up for travel credit cards Note: We may receive a commission if you are approved for cards on this page 3) Most importantly, find your friends, coworkers, and family members who may be open to this message and tell them about the podcast! (Episode 21 is a great starting place) As Jonathan would say, "The FIRE is spreading my friends!"