Nicole Morgan: Collaboration and learning are key for small business owners

It certainly wasn’t on my list of goals, but in retrospect, I probably had more of an entrepreneurial bone than I realized.

My grandfather was a successful small business owner, my father had a consulting business, and in 2014, it was my turn as I embarked on the journey to start Resolute PR.

When I look at where I was 10 years ago, I was not a woman with a clear vision of what Resolute would become. I didn’t have a business plan, and I certainly didn’t have money saved up for this adventure.

I was just a mom, determined to create a situation that allowed me to be available for my kids while doing what I loved.

For so many small business owners, that’s exactly how it starts. We don’t get the time to plan, strategize or fundraise. Life forces us into a situation where we face a fork in the road.

Will this be the moment we finally take the risk to become an entrepreneur? And if so, are we ready to hit the ground running?

While my company grew quickly, it turned out that a journalism degree didn’t teach me much about critical business skills, like HR or how to measure profitability. Some things came naturally, like branding the business, hiring talented employees or knowing the right mix of PR and marketing services.

But to get Resolute to the next level, I quickly realized I couldn’t do it on my own.

Sometimes it meant hiring a consultant to teach me how to improve agency operations or to become a better leader.

While the cost might seem significant, think of these as investments in yourself and your business. No small business owner has all the answers.

Outside experts can bring new ideas and industry knowledge that help accelerate your growth.

Changes in tax laws, artificial intelligence and a global pandemic are just a few of the situations that have changed how we approach running a successful business.

It’s important to keep a pulse, not just on the daily operations of the business, but also on what is coming down the pike.

Stay plugged into resources like the Tulsa Regional Chamber to help you identify what issues are impacting small businesses.

I also found continuing education opportunities, like those offered by 36 Degrees North, to be helpful in getting me up to speed quickly.

It might feel lonely at the top, but many small business owners have the same struggles, regardless of their industry.

Build a network of trusted confidants who “get it.” These are the people who are willing to walk through the lows with you, share advice on how they got through the struggles of business ownership and are ready to cheer on your successes.

Through these inspiring relationships in my own network, we’ve built trust and a rapport that pushes me to continue to build Resolute into the best PR and marketing agency it can be.

Ten years ago, I did not imagine that Resolute would go on to work with over 250 different organizations spanning more than 20 industries.

I didn’t predict that we would be one of the fastest-growing companies owned and led by an OSU graduate. I wouldn’t have believed that we would be named as one of Inc Magazine’s Best Workplaces in America.

But a decade in business and building a team that believes in your mission to be bold and purposeful will change you.

As I look ahead to the next 10 years, I am more driven and resolute than ever for what we can achieve.