If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur interested in running your business from home, it’s important to remember that starting your own business requires strategy and direction. Ask yourself questions like, “What’s your goal?” or “What problem do I want to solve through my company?” 

The good news is that while building a company seems intimidating, it can also be a fun challenge. Check out our step-by-step tips to building a brand — from the importance of finding your niche to the benefits of finding the right platform, like the Arise® Platform.  

Step 1: Discover Your Purpose and Niche 

Innovation and originality are two qualities a company should possess. But they can only be found once your niche is determined. Think of a niche as your point of difference. It’s something that distinguishes your business from other existing brands.  

Start with identifying what your brand identity is. Then, figure out what problem your business solves, research your competition, and select a target audience. Knowing your brand’s identity, voice, and ideal client fall under the umbrella of determining your niche and learning how to market effectively. 

If you’re not sure where to start, consider signing up for the Arise® Platform. The platform allows people just like you to embrace their inner entrepreneur by launching and running a virtual, at-home business. The Arise® Platform helps self-starters run their own business from the comfort of their own home without worrying about the tedious tasks that come along with overseeing a company, such as finding clients, negotiating agreements, or tracking down unpaid invoices. By using the Arise® Platform, all your business has to focus on is providing customer service. The rest is taken care of.

Step 2: Build Your Brand’s Personality 

Every brand has its own DNA and personality, from a unique color palette and brand voice to recognizable imagery, logos, and style. Think of a well-known brand such as Coca Cola – what immediately comes to mind is its iconic red logo. Their color palette is inextricably linked to their brand.

What do you want your company to be linked to? No matter what kind of business you’re looking to start, when you take advantage of a small business venture, it’s important to create your own look and feel, separating your brand from the rest. 

Step 3: Quality Over Quantity  

When you run a business, remember that quality should always take priority over quantity. A brand will not be valuable and powerful if the person running it doesn’t have their heart and soul invested in its success. 

Whether you’re engaging in customer service work, or another type of small business, make sure to provide the kind of service you would expect from someone in your position. Every interaction you have, both with your customers or clients, should be positive and memorable. 

 After all, approaching your company with authenticity and passion is what catapults an ordinary brand into an extraordinary one. The phrase “good things take time” brings on a whole new meaning when it comes to starting a company, even if it’s a business from home. So, don’t worry about growing into the largest business overnight. Focus on creating a steady, supportive environment that will stand the test of time.

Step 4: Find the Right Partner

One of the last tips for building a successful brand is finding the right partner. This is especially true if you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a first-time business owner. For example, partnering with the Arise® Platform automatically connects you with the technology and support to do the work you want to do on your terms. No office, no boss, your schedule.

If you’re ready to be your own boss at home, the Arise® Platform might be the best choice for you. You’ll have the chance to set your own hours and enjoy a flexible schedule while working from home. You’ll provide inbound support, customer service, or technical support for brands you know and love through the virtual platform. The Arise® Platform provides the clients, and your company provides the service.

Ready to finally take the plunge into entrepreneurship? Sign up for the Arise® Platform today to  achieve your entrepreneurial goals.

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AVA has been enhanced with IBM Watson, an artificial intelligence (AI) system, that can distinguish and identify a whole new volume of questions. With the upgraded and enhanced AVA, agents can communicate their personal needs and receive quality, tailored support. This will, in turn, enable agents to self-serve more effectively and efficiently. Click here for more information on the new AVA!

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1. Get rid of the clutter. Ruthlessly. That includes the magazines you’ll never read; the bills you’ve long since paid; the scraps of paper; note pads; business cards; books that are not relevant to your business; odd knick knacks, index card box (that you’ve never opened)— and how about those post-it notes that have long since stopped catching your attention. Consider moving those sentimental items— the photos, the statues, the stuffed animal you got for Valentine’s Day, to the living room or another place. Your goal is to make space for what is needed and keep space open so you can focus and flow. Be crystal clear: Your office space is about making your work life productive and rewarding. According to the ancient Chinese system of feng shui, a cluttered environment clogs the flow of energy— translating to many factors in your life including prosperity and abundance.

2. What a difference smart shelving can make. Shelves can be one of the best ways to take your office from feeling cluttered to organized in one fell swoop. Once you’ve ruthlessly thrown out unnecessary items, look at what’s left and see how it can work on your shelves. This will free up floor space and desk space and can add an appealing dimension to your office if done with style.

3. More on walls… A great tactic to stay organized and focused is to also utilize wall space with whiteboards, bulletins and a calendar. Keep such items in prominent view as a reminder of your appointments, goals and  “must dos.” Feature your “daily goals” list front and center.

4. Use a proper filing cabinet with an efficient filing system. Creating the feeling of efficiency and effectiveness in everything you do builds the momentum for success. Keep all of your files in a filing cabinet except for the ones you need that day. Consider color-coding your files for easy reference, for example: green for financial, red for personal, blue for medical, orange for home, etc.

5. Light check. Are you happy with the lighting in your office? Is there enough light? Do you like the quality of light provided? Does it feel comfortable and pleasant? Nowadays you can create almost any kind of “lightscape” necessary. A desk lamp allows you to focus on your paperwork, and a floor lamp nearby (with three settings) is great for overall light. You may also appreciate natural light and may want to consider moving your desk near a window. When it comes to proper lighting, you never want to strain and always want to feel comfortable. You also want to make it easy and efficient to turn on and off your lighting, so look for the wireless devices that allow you to do so from one remote or your phone. When you pay attention to such small details, you improve the efficiency in all aspects of your work.

6. Sound check. Noise is not only distracting and unprofessional to clients when you’re on the phone or conducting a computer-based meeting, but it makes it more challenging to focus. If the noise is coming from family members or your dog, you may also feel curious to find out what’s happening. Keep doors closed, boundaries clear, and if you live in a particularly noisy area, consider soundproofing your office with curtains, door sweeps, and materials on the walls that absorb noise. You may even want to consider double-paned windows. There is a plethora of resources on the Internet for tips and advice.

7. Ergonomics. Is your office chair comfortable with proper back support? What about the placement and height of your computer screen? Details like these make work more of a pleasure than a pain and can also help you prevent health problems from occurring down the road.

In addition to getting more work done, these home office makeover suggestions will also help you FEEL better about showing up at your desk every day, providing you with a deeper sense of work-life well-being. 

Click here to find out how you can win your very own home office makeover!

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BAKED CHICKEN WITH POTATOES AND CARROTS

Prep Time:

15 minutes

Cook Time:

2 hours

Ingredients:

3- 4 leg quarters
1 cup chicken broth
6 red potatoes quartered
Baby Carrots
4 tablespoons olive oil
4 teaspoons fresh rosemary
4 teaspoons fresh thyme
4 garlic cloves
½ cup of chopped onion
1 tablespoon of butter
Salt, paprika and pepper to taste
 
1. Marinade the chicken with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, 2 garlic cloves, 1/4 cup of chopped onion, salt paprika and pepper
2. Marinade the potatoes and carrots with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, 2 garlic cloves, 1/4 cup of chopped onion, salt paprika and pepper
3. Marinade for a few minutes or longer, if time allows
4. Place the chicken and vegetables into a large baking dish with all the ingredients from the marinade
5. Add a tablespoon of butter and 1 cup of chicken broth
6. Sprinkle salt, paprika and pepper to taste, over the chicken and vegetables, for extra seasoning
7. Cook on 350 degrees for 1 hour covered in foil
8. Remove the foil and cook on 425 degrees for 1 hour or until desired crispiness of the chicken and tenderness of the potatoes
9. Serve and enjoy!
If you’ve dreamed of owning your own business or working from home, you don’t have to rack your brain trying to think of a new business idea, in an unknown field that you start from scratch on your own. Register to use the Arise® Platform today!

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As the first article in our Home Based Business Best Practices Series, we’re delving into a deeper look into the best practices of operating out of your own home office.

When it comes to achieving home office bliss, below are a few of the best techniques we’ve gathered:

Stake Your Claim
One way to ensure you’re focused is to have a designated office space, and work at that same spot every day. It could be a spare bedroom turned into a home office or a desk in a rarely used area – anywhere that’s separate from your home life. Create a place where you can concentrate without distractions. The kids should know that when that door to the space is closed, it’s a “No Kids Zone.”

Maintain Regular Hours
Fortunately for business owners and their agents, scheduling and sticking to regular hours is super simple. Setting a schedule and sticking to it is an important part of a successful work-from-home arrangement. It is the best way to maintain a healthy work-life balance by having clear-cut guidelines for when it is time to work, and when it is time to enjoy your life.

If Motivation is a Challenge, Get Dressed for Work
Some people who work at home consider the ability to wear pajamas to their “office” as one of the many benefits of having their own home office. However, if you struggle with getting motivated to start your work day, getting dressed for work changes your mindset and helps delineate working hours from home and life.

Use Technology
Have the tools you need to do your job effectively: high-speed Internet, a good computer, comfortable headset (no resting the phone between your neck and shoulder) and updated software.

Be Comfortable
Your workspace should function efficiently for you. Make it a place you enjoy going to each day. One of the best things you can do is to invest in a comfortable, ergonomically designed office chair. Avoid using a backbreaking, pain-inducing, kitchen chair. The wrong chair can cause back problems and other health issues.

If You Aren’t Working From a Home Office, Start Today!
Working at home is on the rise, and it’s one of the main reasons to register to use the Arise® Platform. As a home-based business owner using the Arise® Platform, or an agent working for one of them, you can experience the life-changing benefits of working from home while servicing prestigious Fortune 500 companies.

There are countless reasons to turn in your suit and commute for a home-based office– from flexibility and freedom, to financial opportunity. Begin the registration process today and start your journey to a more balanced life and endless possibilities.”

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People who work outside the home have to layer themselves in synthetics, scrape the ice off the car windshield, leave earlier than usual and pray traffic doesn’t bring the morning commute to a screeching halt. 

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