"Be sure to connect with your audience and find out if they want what you’re offering" with Gems Collins

Gems is a Business Consultant who specializes in the creation of online courses, as well as providing 1-1 business coaching to solo entrepreneurs, focuses on business growth by working on mindset strategies and the implementation of additional revenue streams. With a Masters in Global Management and a 15-year career in Project Management, Gems started her own business when she married a US serviceman and her career trajectory changed. Now, she is able to combine her love for coaching and online course creation with her expertise in Project Management, to help others grow their businesses. www.gemscollins.com 

Can you tell our readers about your background?

I’m from the UK originally, I’ve always been obsessed with work and business, getting a job as soon as I was able to and as soon as I finished university I started in the corporate world, the fun corporate world of elite sport management! This lead to an opportunity to work on a massive project in the UAE which I couldn’t resist, so aged 26 I packed up and moved to the other side of the world!

5 years later, I met the man who would become my husband.

He was (and still is) in the US military, so after a chance meeting in a bar and 5 hours of conversation he left back to the states. We kept in contact over WhatsApp, Skype, etc (thank you technology!) and 3 months later I visited him in the states.

At the end of that week, it was decision time and the only way for us to work long term was for one of us to move to be with the other one - there was no way he could leave a career in the military and coming from a military family I respected this 100%. I was also up for the adventure and something new! Long-story-short, 4 years later we’re married and living in the USA!

What inspired you to start your business?

As a military spouse, from a foreign country, finding employment in the USA was hard. Initially, there are legal reasons you can’t work as you go through the immigration process when I eventually was able to apply for work, I found a job, only to have to leave 3 months later due to my husband’s next assignment. From there, opportunities were scarce and I couldn’t find anything that set my soul on fire - I’m very passionate and purpose-driven!

Initially, I started my business to help other military spouses create their own businesses; I did this by creating my own online course to walk them through the process, however, people were coming to me for advice and guidance on starting their own courses, so my business morphed into what it is today: online course creation and business coaching focussing on growth through mindset strategies and additional revenue streams. 

Where is your business based?

It’s remote - being a military spouse this was essential for me! I work with people all over the world, but have I also take on clients wherever we are living at the time!

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

First and foremost I had to understand my “why” - why was I starting a business. I knew that things were going to get tough at times, so my “why” had to be so strong that I knew it could overcome any challenges thrown my way!

After that was the business planning, what were my short- and long-term goals in terms of who I wanted to reach, how many people, what my marketing would look like and what my financial goals were.

Then, I researched my audience, what were the questions they were asking, and what were the struggles they were experiencing that I could help with?

Then I started to plan out my course, taking everything I had learned from my audience and my experiences and creating a program to answer all their questions and guide them through the process.

Once the product/service was ready, the outreach began!

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business? 

Providing value across social media and platform sharing with other business owners. For example, appearing on other peoples’ podcast, guest speaking in groups, etc. and networking. The power of networking is incredible!

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

The early days! When you launch your product or service for the first time, you expect it just take off and for the clients to come rolling in! If this doesn’t happen, it can be a huge confidence knock and we often question our decision in the first place.

It’s important to always go back your why - I revisit this every time I come across challenges, understand the people that I am here to help, the impact I want to have on the lives of others, my community, and my family is what ensures I overcome any obstacles that come my way! 

How do you stay focused?

I set specific times to work on specific things. I find that if I don’t get granular with what I need to do each day/week/quarter then I allow other things to distract me.

It also helps me to know there is a time frame in which I NEED to get things done, in order to make time for the other important things in my life.

I write EVERYTHING down!

I also focus on what my clients need from me, and that makes it even easier to get the work done!

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

I focus on two major components of business success and combine them for the ultimate outcome.

I look at mindset initially, because without a strong and effective mindset we will too quickly get knocked down or lack the confidence to grow. However, I also combine this with the actionable strategy to implement for growth. A strong mindset is only going to get you results when combined with a detailed, specific, and actionable plan.

I help my clients to get to the top of their game with both.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

5-day challenges! I love the buzz of delivering them, seeing growth in my participants, and the ability to show people the best of me, before they decide to work with me. 

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

Honestly, just go for it! If you’re lit up by it, you can’t stop thinking about it and you’re ready to put in the work you will find a way to make it a success!

Be sure to connect with your audience and find out if they want what you’re offering - but if you feel it deep in your soul, do everything you can to make it work.

The first step is the hardest, but it’s the most important and the most exciting!

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

App - Clips, I love video and understand the importance of captions, this app makes it really quick and easy for me to do!

Blog - Lucky bitch.com with Denise Duffield Thomas - her approach to mindset is truly amazing and I love how she frames herself and her ideas.

Book - Grit, Angela Duckworth - it encompasses everything I have ever believed and shown the value of true self-belief and hard work.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

Asana - I’m a project manager at heart and I love the different factors of this platform that ensure I stay on top of all my projects as well as being able to delegate and keep on top of my clients and their deliverables. 

Who is your business role model? Why?

Daniel Priestly - it is very strategic, focusses on what needs to be done, and doesn’t promise “secrets to success” that can’t be achieved.

I love his business model and his point-of-fact approach to business. 

How do you balance work and life?

I’m a planner, so I literally make time for it!

I schedule the time when I’m focusing on my business, working with my clients, and doing anything business-related.

Outside of that, I make the time family focussed. No phones at dinner, or during family quality time.

Getting outdoors with my husband, doing things we love to do together.

But, as crazy as it sounds, I schedule a time to work and time to not work and that’s how I find my balance.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

I am obsessed with fitness and working out. I ALWAYS make time to work out every day, it’s my time to be me, really let loose and only think about the needs of the workout and pushing myself for that period of time.

I also love to read and walk my dog (not at the same time!) to get out and nurture my mind and my soul.

What do you have planned for the next six months?

I’m launching a new 3-month intensive program focussing on mindset and growth, for business owners who are ready to take their business reach and income to their next level.

I’m also working on a membership group to provide a space to network, teach, and host events for solo entrepreneurs.

How can our readers connect with you?

Via social media is the best way!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/gemscollins1

Instagram: www.instagram.com/gems.collins

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gemscollins