"I truly believe that my business started to sustainably grow once I allowed myself to grow as well" with Laura Rike
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Laura Rike is a Pinterest Powerhouse who helps high-performing business owners, content creators & influencers grow PROFITABILITY the right way with SUSTAINABLE systems.
She has helped clients and students bring in over 50k+ in monthly revenue. Her clients have become industry leaders with 6-figure businesses and are growing sustainably by ranking on the first page of Google and getting targeted email leads daily.
With over 3.2 Million monthly viewers on Pinterest alone, Laura has been featured as a guest on podcasts like Tailwind, Ultimate Marketer, and Twin Cities Collective. She lives in Minnesota with her family and can be found online at laurarike.com.
Can you tell our readers about your background?
I am a mom of three. After starting out as a virtual assistant over ten years ago, I was burnt out and felt like I had no energy to share with my kiddos or family when it mattered most to them! I had established myself as a sought-after Virtual Assistant who rocked the house with her design and tech skills, but I was hitting walls trying to expand my business online and make more moola while sharing some much-needed snuggles with my kids. So I took some time figuring out what I truly loved and wanted to be doing day in and day out. That's when my true passion for graphic design and Pinterest morphed into my daily life!
What inspired you to start your business?
My desire to help serve others, plus the longing to be able to stay at home with my kiddos was a huge motivator. While pursuing my desire to help others, I realized that I could not only help, but bring in an income that would support my family in a way we hadn’t seen before.
Where is your business based?
My agency is 100% virtually run, but I currently live with my family in Minnesota.
How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
The first step I truly took when realizing I had a gift for design and Pinterest was to reach out to my previous virtual assistant clients, letting them know the amazing shift that was happening and asking if they knew anyone that might need help.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
First and foremost - traffic from Pinterest to my website was most impactful. My website is built with a number of digital products, services as well as my blog, where I educate entrepreneurs on the power of Pinterest through written tutorials, which are sometimes supported with video training too!
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
One of my biggest challenges was growth. I felt like I kept hitting a wall. I would hire an assistant, only for them to outgrow the position a year or so later. Being only one individual trying to take on the world was posing a challenge. I eventually hired a coach who helped me put together a structure and plan that kept my team happy, educated continually, and growing with me instead of outgrowing me.
How do you stay focused?
I have a number of calendars with different names in my google calendar that each has a specific purpose. One is for the delivery of products and services, one for lead generation, and another for personal development. I break out my days and weeks with what needs to be done in each calendar and make sure to time block accordingly.
How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
I believe that there’s enough air for everybody to breathe - I don’t feel like I have to worry about anyone else out there. There's no such thing as competition in my eyes - there are only mentors, mentees, collaboration opportunities, and friends.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
My most effective marketing strategy is Pinterest ads that lead to my free masterclass that helps people discover the simple blueprint we've used to avoid common mistakes, establish authority, and truly take your Pinterest marketing strategy to the next level!
What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Most entrepreneurs skip personal investments because those investments seem disconnected from their businesses and services. If an entrepreneur has an extra hour, for example, they may prefer to invest in their agency over-investing in themselves. I would urge them to reconsider. I was once challenged by the idea that if I can’t make time for my own personal development and invest in myself… How can I convince others to invest in me? I truly believe that my business started to sustainably grow once I allowed myself to grow as well.
What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?
From the Trash Man to the Cash Man: How Anyone Can Get Rich Starting from Anywhere by Myron Golden, because Myron makes you think outside of the box. He asks the truly difficult questions and helps you move past the myths and get to the real things that can move you forward.
What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?
My favorite tool is slack. It helps me stay organized and productive with my team. I can be nursing my daughter, or heading into an interview for a podcast and still feel connected to them. It helps us feel like a family and staying up to date on everything taking place with our clients and the agency.
Who is your business role model? Why?
I would say, my mom. Even though she is not an entrepreneur, she was the primary breadwinner for our house growing up. Seeing all that she did, sacrificed, and gave to us so that we could have a better life was inspiring to me. It is what I hope to be able to do for my children as they grow up, while also leaving a legacy and my agency for them in the future.
How do you balance work and life?
I don’t believe in balance. I believe in a perfectly unbalanced life. Nothing is going to ever be perfectly balanced, so I strive to be unbalanced. Making sure things get done on time, that everyone I come in contact with leaves with a smile, and feels supported in some way - whether that be my family or my clients - is more important to me than balance. To do this, I continually work on my calendars (mentioned above) and just keep my mind on the things that truly matter.
What’s your favorite way to decompress?
A calm hot bubble bath with a good book or movie and a bath bomb!
What do you have planned for the next six months?
I’m planning to create a number of mini-workshops that help make Pinterest more attractive and attainable for other entrepreneurs looking to grow their business.
How can our readers connect with you?
Website: https://laurarike.com
Masterclass: https://laurarike.com/pinterest-marketing-strategy
Facebook: https://facebook.com/laurarike
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/laurarike
Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurarike
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laura_rike
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurarike/