In August 2018, I took the leap from the agency life and followed my dream of starting my own business. With over 11 years of digital marketing experience, it was finally time to go out on my own! Was it scary? Yes. Were there ups and downs? Of course. But was it all worth it? Absolutely.
I am incredibly grateful for all of the opportunities that came my way and my clients who trust in me to help them grow.
Below are 10 things I’ve learned throughout my journey as a business owner over the past year.
1. Collaborate
We are more successful when we work together as a team vs. competing against each other. I am thankful for the wonderful connections I made with a number of local marketing companies. A few I’d like to highlight are: Mannix Marketing, SideKick, Marketing Kangaroo, E-Vision Digital, The Yellow Note, Erin Rupnick Designs, Todd Bailey Photography, DesignSmith Studio, etc. By partnering up with the right people, I’ve had the pleasure of working on some really exciting projects.
2. Stay on top of bookkeeping
Oh, the dreaded taxes and Quickbooks! In addition to juggling client work is the not-so-fun administrative tasks that comes along with being a business owner. If you have the funds, I highly recommend outsourcing your bookkeeping services to an expert. (I highly recommend Capital CFO!)
3. Balance work and play
When I first started my business, I was putting in 70+ hours a week. Oy! There were many nights where I worked until 2am in the morning. Of course, this was necessary to get me up and running, but honestly, it burnt me out. I’ve learned how to balance work and play and not work 7 days a week. Taking the weekends off and unplugged vacations really helped me recharge my batteries so I could work up to my full potential when I was back on the clock.
4. No dream is too big
One of my dreams was to host a social media conference. In collaboration with the amazing Tom and Bri Lyons of The Yellow Note, we hosted a Social Media Marketing conference here in Glens Falls, NY called Amplify which was a huge success. Given the positive feedback, I am looking forward to hosting more social media marketing trainings in the future. Training others how to elevate their business online is truly where my passion is.
5. Find a mentor
I have had the pleasure of working with an amazing SCORE mentor. Mentors can help guide you in the right direction and provide strategic advice that can help propel your business forward. If you are considering starting your own business, I highly recommend working with a SCORE advisor. It’s free and their wisdom is invaluable.
6. Being an Entrepreneur is HARD WORK
Yes, there are many great aspects of owning your own business….but it takes a long of hard work, dedication, self-motivation, and consistency to grow. From juggling sales to admin tasks, to client work,… you wear many hats as a business owner. Some days it can be a struggle, but it’s all worthwhile!
7. Continue to Learn
I am a lifelong learner. I love to continuously stay on the cutting edge of Digital Marketing. I schedule into my calendar time for myself each week to learn something new. Whether it’s listening to podcasts while I drive, reading new articles, listening to YouTube training videos, reading a new book, it’s essential to stay ahead of the curve and continuously learn in this ever-changing industry of digital marketing. Check out a few of my favorite podcasts here.
8. Network, network, network!
Get out there and network! For the first few months, I went on at least 60+ coffee meetings. It was necessary in order to get my name out there. I enjoyed talking about business, but honestly, I loved getting to know people on a more personal level. Everyone has a story to share and it truly fascinates me to hear peoples journey on how they’ve gotten to where they are today!
Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce networking event in Saratoga
9. Set up Processes
It’s so important to set up organized processes to streamline your work and to stay as efficient as possible. From on-boarding sheets to checklists, it really helps to get these in place. Not only do processes keep you organized & builds trust with your clients, but it makes your life easier by saving time.
10. Sales Aren’t as Bad as I thought
Truth be told – I was scared of doing sales when I began. “Would I seem pushy?” “Would people actually pay me for my services?” I am going to admit it – I was terrified of sales. However, now I absolutely love it. When I meet with a client, my mentality is “How can I HELP this business grow and give them VALUE? How can I develop the best plan to help them attract more customers online?” If they want me to help, perfect. If not, that’s okay too. As long as I explained how I can provide my value & showcase results, I did my job.
Best of Luck On Your New Business Venture
If you are a new business owner (or thinking about going out on your own), I hope this list helps inspire you to achieve your entrepreneurial dreams. No matter your age or experience… you can follow your dreams and achieve more. Keep working towards your goals, stay hungry to grow, continuously learn, and be open to so many wonderful opportunities that await you! Best of luck in your entrepreneurial journey.
Are you a new business owner? What did you learn in your first year of business? I’d love to hear in the comments below!
