"Vision is the Art of Seeing What is Invisible to Others" - A Chat with Maryam Ehsan

From an aspiring writer to the dynamic founder and CEO of Market Pro, Maryam Ehsan's journey is nothing short of remarkable. Under her visionary leadership, Market Pro has become a trendsetter in digital marketing, revolutionizing the industry with cutting-edge strategies. Her influence soared to new heights at Gitex Africa 2024, where she captivated over 500 startups and entrepreneurs with her insights and expertise. Driven by an unyielding passion for creative autonomy and innovative leadership, Maryam Ehsan continues to propel Market Pro to unprecedented global success.

Can you tell our readers about your background?

I’m based in the vibrant city of Lahore. My journey started with a Bachelor's in Accounting and Finance from Kinnaird College, followed by a Master's in Banking and Financial Economics from Government College Lahore. I started as a Content Writer lead at Programmers Force and, within a short span, became the CEO and founder of Market Pro - a marketing company known for its diverse clients and innovative campaigns. 

For the past decade, I've immersed myself in the dynamic world of marketing, where I've had the privilege of working alongside passionate marketers. All in all, my passion for numbers and creativity drives me to find unique solutions in the ever-evolving marketing landscape.

What inspired you to start your business?

As a child, I was always inquisitive and had a deeply curious mind that wanted to explore. I was always asking questions and eager to learn about the world around me. This curiosity led me to join the debating community in school and college, where I honed my skills in critical thinking and persuasive communication. Participating in debates not only satisfied my thirst for knowledge but also sparked my interest in leadership and strategy.

My passion for business was further reinforced when I participated in Kinnaird College Business Week 2017 and won. This experience cemented my desire to one day lead my own company. The thrill of developing innovative solutions and the satisfaction of seeing them come to fruition fueled my ambition.

After college, I joined Programmers Force, where I quickly rose to the position of Team Lead. In this role, I realized how rewarding it was to have creative autonomy and to lead a team toward achieving common goals. The freedom to implement my ideas and the responsibility of guiding a team were incredibly fulfilling.

All these experiences culminated in my decision to become the founder and CEO of Market Pro. My journey from a curious child to a debating enthusiast, a business competition winner, and a team lead has shaped my vision for Market Pro. Today, I am dedicated to revolutionizing digital marketing with innovative strategies and a passionate team.

Where is your business based?

Our marketing company, Market Pro is based in the heart of Lahore, specifically in Johar Town. While our roots are firmly planted in this beautiful city, our client base extends far beyond. We proudly serve both national and international clients, bringing innovative marketing solutions to businesses around the globe.

We are a team of more than 100 passionate individuals including 40 plus content writers and SEO writers, 10 social media experts, PPC managers, project coordinators, graphic designers and content strategists. Moreover, my team is comprised of an equal ratio of men and women to ensure diversity and inclusivity. 

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

In 2021, I, along with a small team of 12 passionate individuals, founded Market Pro. We started modestly by renting a co-working space at TechHub. Our initial team included a few content writers, PPC managers, and SEO experts. With just one client, we focused on delivering exceptional service, ensuring that our clients' voices were central to their marketing campaigns. Our priority was always to put our clients first, and this commitment has been the cornerstone of our growth and success.

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

The most effective way of raising awareness for Market Pro has been through a strong social media and LinkedIn presence. We consistently engage with our audience and industry leaders by regularly sending press releases and newsletters. Recently, I had the opportunity to represent Market Pro at Gitex Africa 2024, where I connected with over 500 startups and entrepreneurs. This exposure has significantly boosted our visibility and credibility in the industry.

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

One of my biggest personal challenges was starting my entrepreneurial journey while also becoming a first-time mother. Balancing the demands of motherhood and building a business from the ground up was incredibly challenging. However, overcoming these hurdles has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Professionally, one major challenge was onboarding new clients and building trust as a new player in the industry. Gaining credibility took time and persistence. Additionally, moving from a co-working space to a full-time office required significant resources. However, as our client list expanded, we managed to overcome these obstacles and grow our business successfully.

How do you stay focused?

Staying focused as a CEO of a large team is a bit like herding cats with a megaphone! I rely on a combination of strong coffee and a meticulously organized to-do list. I set clear goals and take strategic breaks to recharge. To keep the team energized and motivated, I often mix in creative brainstorming sessions and celebrate small victories with quirky team rituals. Balancing the many moving parts of leadership is challenging, but a touch of humour and a lot of caffeine keeps me sharp and on track.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

We differentiate Market Pro from the competition through our commitment to data-driven and innovative marketing techniques. We use the latest strategies, including AI-powered analytics, programmatic advertising, and advanced customer segmentation, to craft highly effective campaigns. Our approach ensures that every decision is backed by solid data and cutting-edge technology.

Moreover, the success of our business hinges on the well-being of our team. I prioritise work-life balance by offering flexible timings, a vibrant office culture, and remote work options. By fostering a supportive and dynamic work environment, I ensure that our team remains motivated and productive, which translates into exceptional results for our clients.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy for growing your business?

Our most effective marketing strategy has been actively participating in global events like Gitex Africa 2024. These high-profile events have significantly expanded Market Pro's client base by connecting us with a wide range of potential clients and industry leaders. Additionally, we've been using technical content such as whitepapers and ebooks to establish ourselves as thought leaders in the industry. This approach not only showcases our expertise but also attracts clients who value in-depth, innovative insights.

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

Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to try out different things and take on challenges head-on- something that has helped me remarkably in my entrepreneurial journey. This adventurous spirit has shaped my approach to entrepreneurship. 

Here are my best three pieces of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs: first, embrace Risk with Caution. Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks. Evaluate your options, and make bold decisions with a solid plan in place. Risks are opportunities in disguise, but they should be approached with thoughtful preparation. Second, never stop learning. The business world is ever-changing. Stay curious, keep learning, and adapt to new trends and technologies. But on top of that, I urge you to be empathetic humans and leaders that inspire. Being a great leader isn’t just about achieving results. It’s about inspiring and supporting your team. Create a positive work environment, lead with empathy, and listen to your team’s needs. Never be afraid to lead from the heart. 

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

My favourite app is LinkedIn because it allows me to connect with fellow leading entrepreneurs and marketers. It’s an invaluable platform for networking and staying updated on industry trends.

When it comes to content, I prefer podcasts over blogs. One of my favourites is "The Diary of a CEO" by Steven Bartlett. His discussions on diverse topics, from AI’s impact to democratic leadership styles, offer insightful perspectives and inspiration.

For reading, I dive into a mix of professional growth books and classic novels. While I read extensively for professional development, I enjoy classic novels like The Great Gatsby and A Tale of Two Cities in my personal time. As a guilty pleasure, I always find time for Jane Austen’s timeless works.

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

My favourite business tool is project management software. It’s essential for keeping me and my team organized and on track. These tools help us streamline tasks, manage deadlines efficiently, and ensure that every project runs smoothly. By providing a clear overview of ongoing tasks and responsibilities, we can collaborate effectively and maintain transparency with our clients. 

This way, our clients are always up-to-date with our strategies and progress. The ability to track projects in real-time and assign tasks helps us stay agile and responsive, ultimately enhancing productivity and client satisfaction.

Who is your business role model? Why?

I don't have a single role model; instead, I draw inspiration from various ethical business leaders, each known for their unique traits. For example, I look up to Oprah for her resilience and kindness, which guides me in maintaining compassion and determination in my journey. Additionally, I follow my mentor, S.M. Khurram, for his expertise in risk management, learning to navigate business challenges with wisdom and prudence. By combining the strengths of these leaders, I aim to cultivate a well-rounded approach to leadership, embracing resilience, kindness, and strategic risk management in my role at Market Pro.

How do you balance work and life?

Balancing work and life is like juggling a pizza, a passport, and a calendar- so you can imagine what it's like juggling the life of a CEO and a full-time mother. But, I’m passionate about my work, so it never really feels like work—it’s something I enjoy as much as my other favourite things. I love travelling, cooking on weekends, and hanging out with friends. 

Drawing a fine line between work and life is key. When I feel great, it positively impacts my team. I ensure to blend these passions into my routine, keeping both my professional and personal life vibrant. My advice? Find what makes you happy and integrate it seamlessly into your life. Enjoy the journey and savour every moment!

What’s your favourite way to decompress?

My favourite way to decompress is by spending quality time with my son and family. Whether it’s a weekend outing, a family dinner, or just relaxing at home, these moments bring me immense joy and help me recharge. 

I cherish this time not only for relaxation but also to inspire my son to become a good human being and a gentleman as he grows. I love teaching him the value of the little things early on, making sure he understands what truly matters. It’s a meaningful way to unwind while contributing to his growth and development.

What do you have planned for the next six months?

In the next six months, Market Pro will focus on onboarding both local and international clients. After connecting with a diverse range of potential clients at Gitex Africa, I plan to expand our reach further at the upcoming Gitex Dubai. We’re also gearing up to grow our team, bringing on more strategists to better serve our diverse clientele. On a personal note, I aim to enhance my personal branding to advance my dream of becoming a global influencer. It’s an exciting time with ambitious plans to elevate both the company and my own professional journey.

How can our readers connect with you?

Readers can connect with me through LinkedIn, visit our company’s website at Marketpro.ai, or follow us on social media. I’m always eager to help established brands and startups, regardless of their size uplift their marketing strategies. Feel free to reach out—let’s explore how we can collaborate and achieve great results together.

Maryam Ehsan’s Linkedin: https://pk.linkedin.com/in/maryamehsan

Company’s Website: https://marketpro.ai/

LinkedIn: https://pk.linkedin.com/company/marketproltd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marketproltd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketproltd/

"Stay true to your passion and be persistent" with Rachel Lake of Rachel Beth Jewellery

Photo credit: Rachel Lake of Rachel Beth Jewellery

We had the pleasure of interviewing Rachel Beth, the talented jewelry designer and entrepreneur behind Rachel Beth Jewellery, to hear about her background and journey. Here’s what she shared with us.

Can you tell our readers about your background?

I’m Rachel Lake, the founder and owner of Rachel Beth Jewellery. My journey into the world of jewellery design started in a quaint town near the Blue Mountains in New South Wales and took me through various esteemed jewellery establishments across Sydney, including the eastern suburbs & historic Strand Arcade in the CBD.  

Over the years, I’ve honed my craft and developed a passion for creating custom, meaningful jewellery pieces that celebrate life's significant moments. In addition to being an entrepreneur, I’m also a mother to our wonderful 18-month-old son, who brings immense joy and balance to our life. 

What inspired you to start your business?

My inspiration stemmed from a deep-seated love for crafting jewellery that tells a story. Working in various jewellers, I saw the joy and significance that a custom piece can bring to someone's life. This realisation ignited my desire to create a brand where every piece is tailored to capture the essence of my clients' style and most cherished life moments.

Where is your business based?

Rachel Beth Jewellery is based in Sydney. We understand that life can be busy, and that’s why we also offer virtual consultations, allowing you to bring your dream jewellery to life from the comfort of your own home. This flexible approach ensures that no matter where you are, you can still have a personalised and engaging experience with us. 

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

Starting Rachel Beth Jewellery five years ago involved a combination of planning, skill development, and a leap of faith. I began by investing in the necessary tools and materials to create my own designs. Then, I reached out to my network of clients and colleagues in the jewellery industry, letting them know about my new venture. The initial phase also included setting up a website and social media presence to showcase my work and attract potential clients.

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

The most effective way to raise awareness has been through a combination of social media engagement and word of mouth. Instagram, in particular, has been a powerful platform for showcasing my jewellery creations and the story behind each piece.

Additionally, past customers have been wonderful ambassadors, showing their new jewellery piece to their family and friends.

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

One of the biggest challenges has been establishing a distinctive presence in a competitive market. Overcoming this required a strong focus on personalisation and exceptional customer service. Building trust and maintaining open, honest communication with clients has been crucial. We also strive to continually innovate and offer unique designs that resonate with our clients' personal stories. 

How do you stay focused?

Staying focused involves setting clear goals and maintaining a deep connection to my passion for jewellery design. Additionally, I balance my creative and business responsibilities by allocating specific times for design work, client meetings, administrative tasks and family time. My husband Damien and our son are also great motivators, as they inspires me to stay disciplined and organised so I can maximise both work and family time. 

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

Rachel Beth Jewellery stands out by offering unique Gemstones and diamonds with custom designs that reflects of our clients' vision and style. This commitment to personalisation, along with our dedication to exceptional craftsmanship, sets us apart from others in the industry. 

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

Our most effective marketing strategy has been leveraging the power of social media, particularly Instagram, to showcase our custom pieces and engage with our audience. High-quality visuals and storytelling help highlight our designs. Additionally, we focus on building strong relationships with our clients, encouraging them to share their experiences and refer us to their friends and family. 

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

My advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to stay true to your passion and be persistent. Building a business is a journey with many ups and downs, but maintaining your focus on what truly drives you will help navigate challenges. Also, don't be afraid to seek advice and learn from others in your field. Networking and building a supportive community can provide invaluable insights and opportunities.

What's your favourite app? Why?

My favourite app is Trello. It’s an incredibly versatile tool for project management and keeping my creative process organised. I use it to track client orders, manage design ideas, and streamline day-to-day operations. With the demands of running a business and being a mother, Trello helps keep everything on track seamlessly.

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

Aside from Trello, which I use for managing projects and keeping track of client work, Canva is another favourite tool. It’s fantastic for creating visually appealing marketing materials and social media posts without needing extensive graphic design skills. It helps me maintain a professional and cohesive brand presence online.

Who is your business role model? Why?

I don’t have a single business role model. Instead, I take inspiration from a variety of people, each offering unique insights and strengths depending on the task at hand.  

How do you balance work and life?

Balancing work and life is always a challenge, especially with an 18-month-old at home. I prioritise setting boundaries and ensuring that I make time for activities that rejuvenate me. I schedule regular breaks and make sure to spend quality time with Joshua and my family helps maintain a healthy balance and keeps my creativity flowing. It's about finding a rhythm that allows me to give my best both at work and at home. 

What’s your favourite way to decompress?

My favourite way to decompress is to go for walk in the park with my family, being in nature helps clear my mind and provides a fresh perspective and allow me to relax and recharge, which is essential for maintaining creativity and focus. 

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

Every piece we create is a unique reflection of our clients' vision, style, and life milestones.

One of our key differentiators is our focus on using ethically sourced diamonds and Australian Sapphires . The gemstones are not only stunning in their beauty but also possess unique qualities that make them highly desirable. Beyond the classic deep blue, Australian sapphires come in a diverse spectrum of colours, including lush greens, warm yellows, and fiery oranges, mirroring the vibrant landscapes and breathtaking sunsets of Australia. Some sapphires even exhibit enchanting colour zones, blending blues and greens or transitioning between different hues, making each stone a distinctive masterpiece.

Sapphires rank second only to diamonds on the Mohs hardness scale, making them incredibly durable and perfect for everyday wear. Their hardness ensures they retain their brilliance and beauty over time, offering both aesthetic appeal and practicality for those seeking a lasting piece of jewellery. This durability, combined with their captivating range of colours, makes sapphires an excellent choice for clients looking for a resilient and unique gemstones. 

We are also deeply committed to ethical and sustainable practices, which is another significant aspect that sets Rachel Beth Jewellery apart. All our diamonds and sapphires are ethically sourced, supporting sustainable mining practices and contributing to local communities. Ethical sourcing is integral to our brand values and resonates with clients who are conscious of the impact their purchases have on the environment and society. We take great care in ensuring that our gemstones are obtained through responsible and fair practices, providing our clients with the confidence that their jewellery is not only beautiful but also ethically produced.

In addition to our use of ethically sourced stones, we incorporate recycled gold in our designs whenever possible. Using recycled gold reduces the demand for newly mined gold, which can have significant environmental and social impacts. Recycled gold offers the same quality and durability as newly mined gold but with a smaller carbon footprint. By repurposing gold from existing sources, we help minimise the negative effects of gold mining, such as habitat destruction and pollution. This makes our jewellery a more sustainable and eco-friendly choice. 

Our clients appreciate that they are not only receiving a beautifully crafted piece of jewellery but also supporting practices that align with their values of sustainability and ethical responsibility. 

How can our readers connect with you?

Readers can connect with us through our website at RachelBethJewellery.com.au and follow us on Instagram @Rachelbethjewellery for the latest updates and designs. We love engaging with our community and are always available to discuss custom design ideas or answer any questions about our pieces.

Rachel Lake


Rachel Beth Jewellery

M: 0425 221 528


E: Rachel@RachelBethJewellery.com.au


W: RachelBethJewellery.com.au



Connect with us:
IG: @Rachelbethjewellery

Jennifer Dawn: How We Are Redefining Success Now

Jennifer Dawn is the founder of Jennifer Dawn Coaching and the creator of the Best Planner Ever. She began her entrepreneurial career selling apples off her grandfather’s tree because a lemonade stand was so “yesterday”. Jennifer is a serial entrepreneur who has grown two multi-million-dollar businesses and is a successful speaker and author.

She serves high-achieving entrepreneurs through private business coaching and hands-on workshops. Jennifer is a master at setting and achieving goals, problem-solving, profitability, and cash flow. She is also the host of the top-rated podcast, Happy Productive with Jennifer Dawn.

A mother of three children, Jennifer currently lives in Rhinebeck, New York with her family. She loves to spend time with her family, ride horses, travel, and coach/mentor others.

Thank you for making time to visit with us about the topic of our time. Our readers would like to get to know you a bit better. Can you please tell us about your professional background?

Thank you so much for this interview opportunity, Karen. I have a nontraditional career path.

While I attended Florida State University and worked full-time, I didn’t finish college and nor did I earn a degree.

When I was in my second year of college, my grandfather passed away. He was the father figure for all of us. We all loved and adored him, but when it came time for the funeral, my family said they would not pay to attend it in Arizona as we were in Florida. So, I decided to pay for the entire family to attend. I purchased plane tickets, made hotel arrangements, and rented cars — all at 19. But to do this I lost two weeks of work; I wiped out my savings; I maxed out every credit card — all of which got me into debt, so I had to withdraw from school and get a second job. I went back and took classes, but I never fully gained the momentum I once had.

At the age of 23, I started my first software company doing Point of Sale Ticketing Systems for waterparks and ski resorts. Although I didn’t know what I was doing, after years of trial and error, learning, and testing, I grew the company to seven figures and then sold it.

I then purchased a log home company in Montana. However, the real estate market bottomed out and I had to close my doors within a year. I went from being cash-rich to $178,000 in debt and was forced to take a job in corporate America. I took a position with a $54 million manufacturing firm, serving as the software division President.

At that time, I had just given birth to my third child. She was eight weeks old when I had to move across the country with three kids, three horses in the trailer, and nursing. I was there for about 2.5 years and grew revenues from $300K to $2.2 million in 18 months.

I discovered problems with the company’s software product. When I pointed the issues out to senior management, they ignored me and didn’t want to fix them. This was a very turbulent time, and I sought the help of a life coach who helped me navigate. I left the company and took a summer off to figure out my next move. It was during this time I met my now husband, moved to New York, and was asked to lead a national network of women entrepreneurs. While there, I tripled the organization’s revenue and developed a love of coaching and mentoring. That is how Jennifer Dawn Coaching began almost a decade ago.

We all have myths and misconceptions about what success means. What are some that you used to believe professionally?

This is a great question — I would have to say I used to believe I had to be perfect; I had to be able to do everything. I had to have all the answers from parenting to entrepreneurship to relationships — which, of course, is crap.

How has your definition of success changed?

I am an advocate for doing whatever makes you happy. I coach my clients to do the same and to avoid falling into stereotypical traps such as you must keep up with the Joneses. Define success on your terms. What works for me, may not work for everybody else.

The pandemic, in many ways, was a time of collective self-reflection. What changes do you believe we need to make as a society to access success post-pandemic?

Throughout the pandemic, I did not have much time for solitude and self-reflection. Working with business owners most of them lost revenues and had to make cuts. Business coaching is a luxury item, so guess what? I was one of the first expenses that had to go — which hurt my income too. I ended up telling each of my clients we are in this together, and I’m going to either stop or significantly reduce your coaching fees for the next three to four months during the pandemic. That is what we did, and luckily all the clients stayed in business and some of them ended up having record-breaking years, which was exciting.

But to answer your question about the changes we need to make to access success post-pandemic are treating our planet and each other better.

What do you see as the unexpected positives in the pandemic?

One unexpected positive was the end to people commuting, with the drastic reduction in pollution.

Another unexpected positive of the pandemic was it made all my clients look at their businesses differently, and the clients who succeeded had to pivot and create new products. They had to be nimble and agile. They essentially had to learn how to adapt to this ‘new normal.’

What are five ways that we can redefine success now?

Here are my top five:

1. Work-life balance, it’s so important. We all need it. The folks who say, “Oh, it’s not work-life balance; it’s a work-life transition,” and they try to change it, but it all means the same thing. Practice work-life balance in whatever way works for you. Just because some guru says, ‘this is how you must do it,’ doesn’t mean that’s how you must do it. For example, I work on vacations. I do an hour or two in the morning while everybody is asleep, and then I can be free for the rest of my day to do whatever I want.

2. The truth is that most small businesses never cross the seven-figure mark. As a business coach, I always say to own the business you want. Don’t get caught up in the revenue. You can own a profitable, beautiful six-figure company that supports your lifestyle and balance.

3. Instead of stressing out, create something in your heart. If you want a family and to run a successful business or have a successful career, it’s possible. There are always ways to make it happen. I always wanted both and learned how to merge the two successfully, and I’m so happy I did.

4. Make your health a priority. Don’t put off your health, no matter what. Even though growing a business is time-consuming and it’s easy to put your health off because you’re so busy, it’s a bad idea. When I prioritized my health, it increased my success in business, even though I was doing something for myself.

As part of number four, self-care is critical to redefining success. Take time for yourself by going on a retreat. Get a massage. Just do something you enjoy.

5. Don’t work with jerks or the wrong people. Life is too short. Be willing to fire a client, fire a vendor, or fire an employee. Surround yourself with those who are positive and encouraging. You will be much happier.

How would our lives improve if we changed our definition of success?

If we all changed our definition of success, there would be much more love in the world. We would love ourselves more. We would love each other more, and we would love our planet.

What do you think some of the biggest obstacles are that stand in the way of us actually being able to achieve that?

Well, number one is us. We tend to be our biggest obstacle. If we don’t get over ourselves first, if we don’t heal ourselves first, if we can’t love ourselves first, everything outside of us doesn’t have a chance of existing. But if we can redefine our success, set healthy boundaries, and take care of ourselves, it will be easier to care about other things. So, it starts with us. It begins with our actions and working on ourselves to show up better.

So, where do you look for inspiration when it comes to redefining success?

It will be spending time in nature, riding my horse, and being at the barn with my daughter. For me, that’s how I reconnect and find inspiration.

We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He, she, or they might just see this if we tag them.

Oh gosh, that is such a tricky question, but I would probably have to say Jennifer Aniston because she fascinates me. She’s one of my favorite actresses; she seems like a real person. It would be fun to hear her stories and see who she is as a real person, not what you see in the media.

How can our readers get in touch with you?

Readers can reach us at JenniferDawnCoaching.com or via social media https://www.facebook.com/JenniferDawn8, https://www.instagram.com/jenniferdawncoaching/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdawn.

Originally posted on Authority Magazine.

Four-time Olympian Amanda Beard on channeling her passion for swimming into a new career

Photo Credit Sacha Brown

Amanda Beard is a four-time Olympian and seven-time Olympic medalist swimmer. In 2017, she co-founded learn to swim school Beard Swim Co. with the philosophy that the ability to swim is one of the greatest gifts you can give a child. The New York Times best-selling author of “In the Water They Can’t See You Cry”, a memoir that chronicles her personal struggle with depression and substance abuse while competing at the highest level of sport, Amanda is an active voice in the conversation around athlete mental health and currently shares her story of professional and personal triumph via motivational speaking engagements. Amanda also serves on the board of the national nonprofit Hope Floats Foundation, which provides swim lesson scholarships for children in need.

Can you tell our readers about your background?

I grew up in Southern California with my mom and dad and two older sisters. I started swimming when I was four and competed in my first Olympics when I was 14. After I retired from professional swimming, I moved to Washington State with my husband and two kids. I wanted to continue being involved in the sport of swimming and decided to open a learn to swim school.

What inspired you to start your business?

I didn’t start doing anything concrete in the business world until after my second child was born in 2013 and I decided to retire. I was ready to let go and move on to the next chapter. From there, I had to decide what I wanted to do next and that took some time before I found my purpose and the drive to create something new. The epiphany came after experiencing my own children learning to swim. I realized I loved it and wanted to share the gift of learning to swim with more children. Now I had my purpose and decided to go all in on opening a learn to swim school in my community. We opened the doors to Beard Swim Co. in 2017.

Where is your business based?

Beard Swim Co.’s flagship location is in Gig Harbor, Washington. We’ve been putting a lot of time into strategy and vision around expansion, and we have some exciting plans for 2022 and beyond to add locations across the country. 

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

The first step was doing a ton of research. I looked at different locations and cities, trying to decide where would be the ideal place to open the school. Once we knew we were moving to Gig Harbor, I took a close look at the population, demographics, available commercial real estate and finally created a business plan. I also leaned on friends and fellow entrepreneurs with experience for advice and mentorship. I was very fortunate to have a close friend who owned a learn to swim school in Arizona. She guided me a lot in the beginning, helping to identify areas of focus and questions to ask. She pointed me in the right direction to succeed. Honestly, I also failed a lot while I figured out how to run my business.

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

The most effective way to raise awareness for Beard Swim Co. has been social media and word of mouth. Word of mouth and personal referrals (even when it comes through social media posts) is huge, especially when it involves children. If parents are pumped on something, they will usually tell all their friends. In the beginning, we created a “no commit” waitlist and used that to secure our initial bank loan by showing the bank how much interest we had. The list also served as a vetted email contact list before we even opened our doors.

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

The timing of the initial launch was one of my biggest challenges, especially as it relates to building out the physical location. We had to secure all our contractors and get bank approval to line up perfectly for the grand opening. It’s like cooking Thanksgiving dinner in your one oven and trying to ensure everything comes out at the right time to serve dinner.

How do you stay focused?

As an entrepreneur, I think it’s important to incorporate something you love into your business. For me, swimming is a huge part of my life and that makes it easier for me to stay focused every day. Goal setting is also vital for me. Having clear goals motivates me to push forward and grow.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

I am laser focused on quality over quantity. We don’t try to be everything for everyone, rather we focus on what we do best and that’s swim lessons and teaching children how to swim. We’re not a swim team, we don’t offer jazzercise in the water or try to expand our offerings in ways that don’t make sense. We do one thing and we do it well. That translates into the Beard Swim Co. brand being trusted and shared as one of the best in our business.

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

Our most effective marketing strategy is social media. It’s effectively “word of mouth”, but on a bigger scale. And it can be challenging, especially as a small business owner and entrepreneur, to make time to create content and engage with my community online. But it’s super important, especially as we look to expand Beard Swim Co. across the country. Social media serves as a way for us to reach people and tell our story and gives our customers and community a way to engage with us, even if we don’t live in the same place.

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

My best advice is to push forward, never give up and get comfortable with obstacles. Obstacles are going to happen, no matter what, and they shouldn’t stop you. Challenges and failures can help you reevaluate different aspects of your business plan that might be confusing or need an alternate approach. Just know you’re going to have people that tell you “no” or laugh and say, “it’s not a good idea”. Don’t let the naysayers get you down. Be confident and keep going.

What's your favorite app and book? Why?

I love Instagram and the weather app, but I really try hard to be present and off my phone as much as possible.

This year I got all my favorite swimmers’ books, including Natalie Coughlin and Michael Phelps. I’m just getting started but I know they are going to be great!

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

Jackrabbit Class management software is my favorite business tool because it keeps my business organized. Jackrabbit houses all our information on customers, classes, billing and most importantly, keeps all our classes organized and structured. It is our one stop spot for all things swim lessons.

Who is your business role model? Why?

Carrie Demond. She is my friend who owns a swim school in Arizona. She was a huge inspiration for me to start my own business; she showed me what was possible and opened doors for me.

How do you balance work and life?

Honestly, I’m still trying to figure that out daily. Most of the time I put myself last and I’m trying to change that. For me, the best way to reset and recharge is spending time with my family. I don’t even need time away or a big vacation. When I was swimming competitively, I rarely got time off, so I got used to recalibrating myself with a very short amount of time.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

My favorite way to decompress is getting away from it all with my family and being present with them. All the phones get turned off and we reconnect. Some of my favorite things to do are pretty simple. We love going to the beach and playing cards.

What do you have planned for the next six months?

For the last five years since we first launched Beard Swim Co., we’ve been working hard to establish best practices and grow the brand in strategic ways. Now, we’re ready to push forward and build out additional locations across the country, while still retaining the quality we know is vital for success. 2022 is going to be a big year of growth.

How can our readers connect with you?

Social media is the best way to connect. You can find me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @amandaraybeard and @beardswimco. You can also learn more about Beard Swim Co. on our website at www.beardswimco.com.

"If you’re passionate about why you want to start it" with Joanne Ilaqua

Joanne Ilaqua is the founder and president of MamaSoup Inc, a social media platform that educates, inspires and supports new moms.

After a 20-year career as a nurse, doula and Lamaze childbirth educator Joanne was frustrated by the lack of social support available for new moms, so she created an online community. Her anonymous and location-based app, MamaSoup, is available on iOS, Android and web-app for women to connect with each other and to local health experts for tips, advice and friendship as they navigate motherhood. In 2020, the mom of four launched a virtual prenatal education hub that includes a course specifically for families having a planned cesarean.

Can you tell our readers about your background?

I was a single mom working as a franchise recruiter for a very popular Canadian dollar store chain when I finally decided to follow my dream of helping new moms. I went back to college at 28 years-old, became a nurse and started working towards specializing in the maternal/child field. I became a birth and postpartum doula and then a Lamaze prenatal educator over the next few years.

After almost 20 years working in clinical settings and seeing moms in various stages of motherhood, it became glaringly obvious that there was a lack of safe spaces for women to connect and decompress. I was seeing new moms frustrated and doubting themselves as they dealt with the realities of family life. I realized that I could make a greater impact by helping women connect to each other for friendship and support online to reduce isolation and loneliness.

That was the start of my journey to creating MamaSoup Inc.

What inspired you to start your business?

As a mom of four I knew how tough motherhood could be, but whenever I talked about it with other moms they looked shocked to hear me say it out loud. I knew even before I started my nursing career that there was a need for this space.

After years working with new moms in labor and delivery/postpartum it became hard to ignore the fact that many women don’t feel prepared to go home with a new baby because they have no village; nobody who understands their fears and insecurities as they navigate motherhood. 

The moms that I discharged home from the birthing unit as they clung to me and cried out of worry, the moms who came into the health centre for well-baby visits feeling lost and unsure of themselves…those are the people who inspired me to start my business.

Where is your business based?

MamaSoup is a completely digital company, but our head office is in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario Canada. 

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

As a creative person, I’m a huge fan of mind-mapping all of my ideas and my business was no exception! I have papers from four years ago with the earliest diagrams of our online community as I was figuring it all out. I needed an idea of how it would look so I could create a business plan.

Once my business plan was complete, I went to pitch my idea to a local business development service, funded by our government, and they told me they couldn’t see how a mom community could work online. They suggested that I make it in person instead. I refused to accept their opinion and I started looking at different ways to find support to bring my vision into reality.

Once I realized how big and complex MamaSoup could be, I applied to be a client at a tech incubator where I’d find mentorship and opportunities to network with others on a similar business path. Finding an innovative tech village of start-ups has helped me grow my business so much.

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

I love networking events and social media, but the most effective way of raising awareness for MamaSoup has been through media opportunities. Press releases, live television and participating in any media event that I’m invited to be part of has been the most effective.

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

Only 8% of tech startups are founded by women, so finding others on the same journey is always challenging. Being an entrepreneur is really lonely sometimes, especially over the last couple of years of isolation. 

My age has been an issue: as a woman in my fifties now, I’ve been told that I’m too old to receive certain grant funding. 

One of my biggest challenges is that technology is constantly evolving.  I’m not a technical person so updating my apps and websites are often costly. 

How do you stay focused?

Everything I do is centered around MamaSoup’s mission of providing education, support and inspiration to moms to reduce isolation and loneliness. But I’m a creative person and I can easily get distracted with new ideas, so I have a notebook that I use to sketch and journal them. It helps get them out of my head so I can stay focused on helping moms.

Also, I have a business coach and she makes sure I stay accountable and on task!

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

Creating a social media platform is no joke when you’re essentially competing with giants like Facebook and Instagram! 

We’ve made our platform completely anonymous: we have no sign-in partners (like Google or Facebook) so you can retain your personal information- all you need to give us is an email address to create your profile. Our platform is location-based so every time a mom logs in, her main feed features posts from other moms geographically closest to her because we believe in support in real life, too! And because comparison is a mom-confidence killer, our platform is based on topics so the focus is on the conversation, not just staged photos. Moms can upload pictures and videos when they post, too, but we want the conversation to be what pulls everyone together.

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

I created a digital prenatal hub to generate a revenue stream and to catch moms as they start their motherhood journey. This gives us an opportunity to introduce them to our community. People aren’t dying to learn how to use a new app but once they get to know MamaSoup and how we can help educate and support them, they’re more likely to jump into our virtual village.

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

You’re never too old or too broke to start a business. If you’re passionate about why you want to start it, you’ll find a way. 

Don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you launch because there is no place for perfection in entrepreneurship- it’s messy! Also, be willing to try and fail at things as your business grows and evolves because that’s where the real magic happens.

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

For obvious reasons, my favorite app is MamaSoup, my favorite blog is the MamaSoup Blog and my favorite book is MamaSoup’s downloadable postpartum planning guide! 

But lately I’m loving the Bigvu video app to record branded lessons for my prenatal classes. I like Jenna Kutcher’s blog because it always gives me actionable steps to take in my business and one of my favorite books of all time is Succulent Wild Woman by Sark. 

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

Right now I’m really into Airtable because it helps keep my digital advertising partners organized on our platform. It’s a very powerful tool for a lot of business processes and it’s a great way to store a database!

Who is your business role model? Why?

At the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey, I loved Jenna Kutcher because she started her (now seven-figure) business with a camera she bought off of Craigslist. It felt like, if she could do it- anyone can! 

Now I’m feeling really inspired by Gary Vanyerchuk because he’s multi-passionate and has made it work in his business. My business has been growing tentacles so it’s nice to watch someone with those same sensibilities have so much success when all you ever hear is advice to “niche down”.

How do you balance work and life?

There’s a saying, “Do what you love and you’ll never stop working” and that can feel pretty accurate sometimes! But I’ve got four kids so there’s always a good reason to get out of my office and put down my phone. 

I have to put everything into my calendar, business and personal. I keep office hours: at four o’clock my office door is closed for the day. And I have a husband who tirelessly supports me and our family.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

I love to get outside with my dog, Archie, for fresh air and exercise. I make time to read every day and I believe so deeply in the power of meditation for focus and relaxation. But on the days when all of that just isn’t cutting it, I love a glass of red wine and to chill out on the couch!

What do you have planned for the next six months?

I plan to launch a new digital postpartum course for moms who’ve had a cesarean, so executing our marketing plan for that will be my main focus. As always, I’ll be telling anyone and everyone who knows a new mom about the MamaSoup community and I’ll continue to focus on sales for digital advertising subscriptions on our platform.

After the last couple of years in isolation I’ll also be planning to take some time to travel with my husband, Eric.

How can our readers connect with you?

Follow me on Instagram @mamasoup.app for information and features on the app and @mamasoup.ca for prenatal information

For more information and links to download the MamaSoup app: www.mamasoup.ca

For our prenatal education hub: www.mamasoup.online

For digital advertising opportunities: www.mamasoup.online/advertising

"Avoid getting into debt and laser focus on making profits" with Anna Braff

Photos by Peterson Design & Photography ​​

Anna Braff is the founder and designer behind Provenance Rentals, a boutique specialty event rentals company and lifestyle brand in Los Angeles. Dubbed an unintentional entrepreneur, she started her business with the desire to decorate spaces with unique furniture, decor, and props in her collection and transform them into beautiful environments to create lasting memories and experiences. Anna started her business after throwing a naming ceremony for her youngest son and guests quickly noticed the relentless attention to detail to make the time special for her children and her loved ones in attendance. Today, she decorates spaces for a range of events and clientele including big brands and celebrities collecting only the most beautiful and high quality rentals making each event a customized experience. 

Can you tell our readers about your background?

Originally born in California, my parents divorced when I was young–about two years old. My hard-working, single mother always tried to help and push her kids to create a better, more fulfilling life different from the humble beginnings we came from. Not only did my father fail to contribute financially to our upbringing, when he was around he dolled out blows to our self-confidence, neglect, manipulation, or emotional mistreatment on the rare occasions when we would see him. After California, we moved to Georgia, then Connecticut, and then college in New York City. However, it was California that I longed for. I tried several different careers, including practicing law. I never really loved it. I always loved the arts and dreamed of making a living (and one day fortune) from creative pursuits. Although, I never thought I would be an entrepreneur – too scary; too risky especially when you come from nothing really. I just knew I always wanted to be successful, but it also had to be something meaningful and fulfilling to my heart and soul. Luckily, I married a man who allowed me to take time to explore what I really wanted to do and also enjoy raising my children and bonding with them. I am so grateful for my husband’s support and patience which allowed me to experiment and take risks. 

What inspired you to start your business?

Although I did not intend on becoming an entrepreneur, the opportunity presented itself. Something sparked inside me and I wanted to explore it. I threw a naming ceremony for my son and spent months planning, curating special items like vintage desks, telephones, creating handmade decorations, and signage. I actually invested more time in planning this party probably than my own wedding. The event had to be special. So I spent days and nights collecting things, planning the event, making handmade decorations, creating a menu, and designing the overall look and feel of the event. My friend noticed and she suggested we go into business. At the time, it was fortuitous that her parents had warehouse space and trucks where we could start our business with little capital. It acted as an incubator. She and I did not last as partners very long. We parted ways by the end of that first year. After that, I changed the name to Provenance Rentals and only looked towards the future.

Where is your business based? 

Our brick-and-mortar headquarters is based in Los Angeles.

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

Since I already amassed a small collection from my son’s party, it worked out that my business partner and I had access to a warehouse to safely store the items. Through my years running the business, I did have to move four times. Now, I am in a good spot. When my business partner and I first started we had no capital. We raised capital by self-funding with only a little bit we could each chip in, and we also started selling things. We basically flipped merchandise from auctions and put that towards our fund to buy more inventory and pay for business expenses. Once we felt we had enough of a collection, though when I think back it was still quite meager and paltry, we started looking for customers. My business partner’s brother-in-law also helped us by taking photos of our inventory. He had a background as a photographer so our pictures were quite good and professional quality. Once we had those we invested in a website. Once we did that, we were able to show were legitimate. 

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

The pressure on myself to perform makes me a shameless self-promoter. If my business fails, I fail my family. Accomplishing raising awareness wouldn’t be possible without technology. It is my megaphone when I want to promote my business from working on my SEO for my website; to blogging; to collaborations; to socials like Instagram and Pinterest – technology is what helps propel my business into growth, finding customers, and the future of my brand. I also try to align myself with clients that will sing our praises from the rooftops, or have the ability to influence others. 

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

There have been many, and I continue to and will continue to have challenges so long as I run a business. Nothing is static. My first challenge was having no money, so I found creative ways to raise money. Then it was cycling through two different business partners. I thought it would be fun to be in business with friends, but it ends up straining the friendship. Scaling is always a problem – how to do this without overleveraging yourself is a dynamic challenge as your business grows. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the pandemic and government shut-downs. My business came close to shuttering. I went so lean I wasn’t even paying for the lights, or Internet, at one point. Luckily, I had some perfect pieces in my collection that clients wanted for intimate events that helped keep me stay afloat in 2020. In 2021 and 2022, I face challenges with inflations, labor, rising supply costs, and the inability to even order certain inventory. There is always something preventing me from resting on my laurels. 

I focus on things I can solve and things I know I do well. I strategize and game plan how I will attack a problem. I try to also not do what everyone else does. I find what works for me. Sometimes it is also about not overthinking and just taking action.

How do you stay focused? 

I believe in working on small goals. Even the smallest things like responding to emails, collecting my receipts, posting on social media – anything -- to keep me on track of running my business even on the toughest of days. It is easy to get overwhelmed, but focusing on little, achievable milestones helps me face and conquer larger, daunting problems. Also, taking a moment to breathe. 

Additionally, I remind myself of things I do love about my business when things get challenging or feel stagnating – whether it is curating my collection, making sales, finding new clients, innovating, bonding with my team or clients, and even cleaning up the warehouse brings me joy. 

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

I pride myself on cherry-picking a beautiful, high-quality collection where you just can’t find this stuff anywhere. We also believe in treating people with dignity, respect, and professionalism. Our customer service is top-notch and we value our customers, team, and supporters.

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

Investing in a website that is functional and beautiful. Everyone always says how much they love my website, the images, the design, and the vibe with the images and my company’s message.

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

Avoid getting into debt and laser focus on making profits; even in the beginning and as much as possible. Start by setting aside even small profits that are achievable, and work your way every quarter, or whatever timeline you set. You must do it; don’t just say you are going to do it. Also, small, daily habits help you achieve large goals. Little by little you get what you want and it lasts longer than an overnight success.  

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

Profit First. It is such a great book for entrepreneurs. Once you harness your finances it allows your business to grow in the right direction. The methods help you find peace, achievements, and it gets you out of entrepreneurial poverty, or that dangerous mindset that you need to spend more to make more. You have to have respect for money, learn its power, and use it in the right ways to create the life and business you dream about.

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

Technology is awesome. I can’t tell you how many times I use Google, Google: Maps, Earth, Images, and so much more a day on each project. I also love Pinterest and Instagram for visual inspiration and I can’t forget YouTube. You can teach yourself anything from some amazing videos on there.

Who is your business role model? Why?

There are many, but most notably are Warren Buffet and Joy Mangano. Buffet is one of the most successful investors and businessmen, but he is also very charitable. Making money and achieving your goals are rewarding feelings, but also the ability to give back and be generous aligns with my brand. Although our company’s donations cannot match Mr. Buffet’s, he is an inspiration and we think it helps our community and the ethos of the company. It is the most rewarding part of creating and running a business – to know that your business does actually reinvest in the local community.  

Joy Mangano is a tenacious, bright entrepreneur who just saw the world differently. I love that she was underestimated, but aggressive in achieving her goals. She is bold, fearless, and confident and I admire her steadfast approach with her inventions and building her brand.

How do you balance work and life?

Sometimes you can’t always achieve balance, but you have to learn to appreciate those downtimes you may not always choose. Also, I believe in a healthy dose of boundaries. My family is the most important thing to me, so sometimes I have to put them, and myself, before the needs of the business. Enforcing my boundaries signals to the world that I know my self-worth. Sometimes “no” is a complete sentence.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

Since I have such a busy day–almost every day–I love my bed. My bed from Costco is the best mattress I have ever had, or slept in. Once kids are in bed and I have a little time to myself, I love to watch my favorite shows and get lost in the fantasies, or characters.

What do you have planned for the next six months?

Expanding and updating my collection is an ever-evolving process so that will go on as long as Provenance Rentals is in business. I am also looking to grow my team, and I want to find more warehouse space in a place that aligns with our goals and allows us to grow.

How can our readers connect with you?

The best way to reach Anna and Provenance Rentals is via the website https://provenancerentals.com/ and social media https://www.instagram.com/provenancerentals/, https://www.facebook.com/provenancerentals, https://www.pinterest.com/provenancerentals/, and https://twitter.com/provenancerents. 

"Time management is critical" with Dr. Ali Atkison

Photo credit: Lori Cardwell Photography

Dr. Ali Atkison is a highly acclaimed keynote speaker, trainer, and teaching professional who has educated and inspired audiences of all sizes for more than two decades. With more than 20 years in higher education, Dr. Ali is widely considered one of the foremost authorities on how the adult brain learns. Her unique background isn’t in neuroscience, but instead as a practitioner, educator and lecturer who has mastered the art of making communication and learning more effective. By delivering clear, tangible and, yes, actually fun, workshops and programs, Dr. Ali engages with organizations and teams who want to truly make learning stick for lasting results. 

Can you tell our readers a bit about your background and what inspired you to start your business teaching brain-based communication and training skills?

Absolutely. It started back in 1999 when I was accepted to graduate school at the University of Denver on an assistantship, which meant I would teach in exchange for free tuition (and a fairly paltry stipend, lol). But no one ever taught me how to be a good teacher. I was pretty much handed my book and shown it to my classroom. So, I did what I thought “good teaching” was—I lectured. And I did that for years, until one day I had an a-ha moment that I really didn’t think my students were learning (and I later confirmed this). So, I decided to start researching better teaching practices. This led me to years of research on how the brain learns, which I then started sharing with other teachers, and then corporate trainers as well.

It didn’t take me long to realize I could marry brain knowledge with my expertise in communication because the concepts I was applying to teach are readily applied to everyday communication as well. I realized that with my expertise and overlap in the two, I could teach anyone how to be a better communicator the same way I was teaching teachers how to be better teachers—by basing this knowledge on brain science.

So that’s what I do now: I teach improved communication and training skills that are grounded in how the adult brain learns.

Where is your business based?

I live in Indianapolis. But I travel all over the country and internationally to deliver keynotes and/or workshops for my clients. Nowadays, although I love the spirit and comradery that is somewhat unique to in-person keynotes and workshops, a lot of my work is done virtually—which is great because it allows me to connect with clients all over the world. In fact, speaking and training virtually offer some interesting challenges and opportunities not present during in-person offerings; for example, I get the chance to model the very type of virtual communication I’m usually speaking about.

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

I had already been offering keynotes and training on brain-based communication and training skills as a “side hustle” while I worked full-time as associate dean and a communications professor for the University of Denver.  

I had so many people tell me that I light up when I talk about helping people communicate and train better by applying brain-based techniques, I finally decided to pursue this passion full-time. Fortunately, I had three things going for me that really helped launch my company:

-       First, my former clients are also wonderful referral avenues for me, as they’ve gotten to see firsthand that my keynotes are super engaging and my workshops are fun—and effective.

-       Second, the solopreneur and small-business network in Indianapolis is incredibly supportive, so I’ve been fortunate to connect with countless people who have helped me with resources and knowledge for launching my business.

-       Third I’m a professor for Wondrium. I have two courses with them: The Brain-based Guide to Communicating Better and Written Communications: Being Heard and Understood. They are available online, of course, but Wondrium is also available on Roku now, which is neat because anyone can access the content right from their living room couch. I have had quite a few folks reach out to me for help with their employees or one of their teams after watching one of my courses.

These three things really helped make launching my new business a success.

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

I mentioned the supportive network in my last answer. In particular, I have received amazing support from the other women in my networks. Especially in my relatively new home space in Indianapolis, I have found the sense of community to be uplifting and inspiring. Hoosier Hospitality is real, y’all! I hope to have the opportunity to give back to the women who have lifted me up in my own endeavor. 

I build awareness about my business through people in my networks because I’m building solid relationships with my community. I’m a member of BNI, and we follow the approach of getting to know one another quite deeply so we build communities of people who know, like, and trust one another—thus, we’re more likely to think of each other when someone—for example, in my case—complains to them about a poorly run training program, or a customer service team who struggles with clarity in their communication to customers.

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

COVID has impacted professional speakers, like so many industries, because there have been fewer opportunities to speak at in-person events. I’ve used this time to focus on ensuring my virtual offerings are excellent, and I’ve focused on networking and continuing education.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

Yep, there are lots of folks out there who teach improved communication, which is such a testament to how important it is—now more than ever. I have great respect for all my colleagues, and I’m so honored to be part of a great community of communications professionals. What makes me unique is that the communication and training skills I teach are grounded in the specific intersection of my experience. I bring 20+ years of academic experience teaching communication at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and I also bring 15+ years of experience studying how the adult brain learns. So, my strategies are grounded in science but also backed by my own expertise as a communications professor.

What is your favorite or most useful business resource? 

There are almost too many to name. The backlog of books and articles that I want to read grows every day. I tend to prioritize subject-matter resources a little too much because I continue to be fascinated by the brain, so I’ll read anything or listen to any podcast on anything brain-related. I am always learning little nuggets that can help me in my work on teaching communication and training skills.

In terms of resources related to being a solopreneur, I’m a big fan of relationship-related resources, so I lean heavily on my networks for sounding boards. And I like to attend events—conferences, talks, webinars, etc.—where people who know cool things share those. The books I read tend to be subject-matter-related, but I’m a big fan of Inc. and ATD articles. My business development coach just turned me on to a great podcast for people who do a lot of public speaking like me called Speakernomics.

How do you balance work and play but still run a successful business?

I often joke that as a communications expert, I’m always working. It is half true because even when I’m interacting with friends, colleagues, or my partner, I think it’s important to model the kind of communication skills I teach others. It’s true for most solopreneurs that you are your brand, but it’s especially true for me. 

But aside from that, as any solopreneur knows, time management is critical. It’s easy to be at your computer non-stop. And my partner and I both work from home, so it’s also easy to tear myself away from my computer for something really “critical” like a discussion of what color towels to buy. But basically, we both agreed to run our days as if we were in an office. We start work early and try to stop by at dinner time. Of course, that doesn’t always happen, but we do pretty well.

I’m a big fan of scheduling time for the important things and shutting down my email when I’m doing those. For example, when it’s time to write or research, I turn everything else off. Otherwise, it’s so easy to get sucked down rabbit holes. 

The one exception to that is that I try to always make time for people when asked. I love when people ask me for my help and insight with communication or training issues, whether it’s a personal or professional communication challenge. I’m a lifelong learner at heart, and every time I have the opportunity to help someone else navigate an issue or problem they are having, it’s a learning opportunity for me just as much as for them.

What’s your favorite way to decompress? 

I love reading. I’ll read anything, but I’m especially into science fiction and science fantasy. I also equally love fitness and baked goods—I own a Peloton I named Cupcake because I ride her so I can eat them. J

 How can our readers connect with you?

Contact me anytime at ali@roi-communications.com or via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliatkison/. And if you would like to learn more about how I can help you or someone you know, visit my website: www.roi-communications.com

"Dare to redefine success, to re-imagine the possible" with Sara Oblak Speicher

Photo credit Aaron Pepis

Sara Oblak Speicher, MBA is an international elite basketball player turned master life coach, quantum strategist, and mindset expert. She inspires and empowers visionary women in leadership to redefine the possible, create flow in chaos, transform their schedules, and bring their boldest visions to life. The Slovenia-native now a New Yorker is also a survivor of postpartum depression and severe burnout that nearly killed, them but became her spiritual awakening instead. Passionately rewriting the rules of living, Sara currently resides in the Lower Hudson Valley with her husband, their two daughters, and three furry rescues.

Can you tell our readers about your background?

Thank you so much for having me! I come from a humble background. I grew up in a multi-generational home in Škofja Loka, a medieval town of about 20,000 and surrounded by nature. I remember always feeling more at home around adults than my own peers, and given a choice between a book or playground, you’d find me snuggled up on a bed and immersed in whatever story I was reading – and then drawing it all out.

I also hail from a lineage of strong and independent women who lived ahead of their times, women who were very resourceful, resilient, and entrepreneurial to help ends meet. Feminists who still were deeply affected by starvation, violence, death, and many of them treated like slaves in their marriages because they couldn’t afford to leave. So this deeply shaped my outlook on life, and on what being a woman meant.

Basketball became my refuge from being mercilessly bullied, a distraction from the Balkan War that was raging nearby, and ultimately a ticket into the world. At the age of 12, I began traveling around Europe to compete at basketball tournaments - and been to Paris 3 times! I was 14 when I first put on the jersey of Slovenia Women's National Basketball team. At 16, I was the youngest player on the senior team and at 18 served as a team captain at the European Championship.

Once I already retired, I ended up reluctantly accepting an unexpected invitation to play NCAA D-I basketball. So I packed my 3 suitcases, kissed my family goodbye, and boarded a trans-Atlantic flight to New York City 4,500 miles away. I have never been on the Downtown Brooklyn campus before making it my temporary home in 2004. And have I mentioned that I was barely able to speak English, my 4th language at the time?

After a short stint in the private sector, I opened my own business. At first, a virtual assistance company that soon grew into a premier online business management and consulting agency. I loved supporting business owners, women in particular, and giving them more time by taking tasks off their plate.

Soon, our relationships deepened and they opened up more and more. Through those conversations I realized that simply ticking off their to-do lists is like putting a band-aid on a bacterial infection. Because many of those items didn’t need to be on it in the first place. 

Professionally trained as a consultant and with a natural gift for seeing the big picture and all the moving pieces, I started to offer more strategic, sustainable solutions. Their businesses started to transform. And so has mine. I loved every bit of it.

But there is only so much that one can do when they have a clear strategic plan. From my personal experience, I knew the next layer would be mindset. Yes, as a former elite athlete, high-performance mindset was my mastery. But I wanted to learn the ins and outs of how to coach someone to help them develop theirs. In a safe way. And on that journey, I also tapped into my mysticism, witchy nature that went untapped all those decades.
It got me thinking, “I wonder what happens if I blend lifestyle architecture, time mastery and strategic genius with mental brilliance and spirituality? And healing and metaphysical principles with everyday practicality derived from 25+ years of international experience?”

So when working with high-achieving women nowadays, business is just one piece of a complex puzzle they are trying to navigate. Because there’s family. And relationships. And home. And team. And life. And their own calling, mission, purpose. And that pesky thing called chronological time that keeps on ticking.

In the sacred space of our private practice, we therefore get to re-imagine the possible, simplify complexities with honor and respect for how complex these individuals are as a human being. We help them create flow in chaos and transform their schedule. This might sound like a cliché, but we bring their boldest dreams to life.

What gives me the greatest joy is seeing my clients emerge into the world in ways that reflect the fire of their heart, knowing of their soul, magic of their vision. And that looks very differently:

For some, it’s collapsing timelines and turn their 25-year dream into reality within a year or two: from moving cross-country, to buying a dream home, to having a family (and no longer feeling trapped, scared, and overwhelmed).

What matters to others is reviving marriages, deepening and strengthening their relationships with themselves, their loved ones, and their teams (and no longer being triggered, feeling isolated, and wanting to run away).

Others just want to multiply revenues, profits, and free up more time with integrity, harmony
(and no longer working so much, so hard for what they though success and building an empire should look like).

We intend to do it all in ways that create richer experiences, and allow them to be more present, clear, and focused in all they set out to do and become (and no longer burning out at multi-7-fig revenues as a primary home provider consumed with guilt, shame).

Because ultimately, we all strive to make a more positive impact and high-value, lasting contribution to the world with greater fulfillment and joy (while turning the world into our playground).

What inspired you to start your business?

Both of my parents transition from laborers with technical skills, to opening their own businesses when I was in my early teens. While I got to witness some of the sacrifices, risks, grit, and devotion that has required, I also got to enjoy that certain freedom that came with them being in command of their own schedules. And ultimately, finances. A seed was planted. I knew what I was after.

 By the time I was pursuing an MBA degree in New York City, I had already bought into this idea of an American dream instead. Even though America was never painted to me as some promise land. Perhaps it’s because of that that I have the privilege to experience it very differently now? Anyway, at the time, I set my eyes on this proverbial corner office overlooking the Central Park. Wearing fancy suits and heels that, honestly, I do look good in at 185cm tall!

In all seriousness. The dreams came crashing down with the signing of the first employment contract. No sick leave, no paid vacation time, no overtime as a salaried employee – even when my day begun at a networking evet at 7am and I was still in the office at 10pm.

Once my husband and I bought our first house and my commute to (now a new job) required a 2.5 hours of driving, ferry, train, subway, and walk to reach the office (totaling 5 hours each day), I was seriously rethinking the whole thing.

Around the time we found out we were expecting a baby, I was called into a meeting. “Sara, I don’t think this is going to work…” was music to my ears.

Losing that job was a wish come true in a way because I for sure was not going to quit. I was not a quitter…  

Relieved in many ways, I was on someone else’s timeline now. And it was an opportunity to re-imagine the possible. To remember the roots.

Yearning for this sense of freedom and flexibility, and being deeply disappointed by the hostile (non-existing) support system for new moms and families (remember, I am European, we do these things very differently there), I rolled up my sleeves, took a leap, and started my own business. 

Where is your business based?

Technically in New York, more specifically anywhere I am with a phone or laptop. Most of the time that’s my home office. Or a couch next to our two dogs while the kids are in school... By the time this article is published, my partnership company just might be incorporated in a different state as well, although I’ll still be working from any location.

But, since all our services are conducted online, I consider this a global company – just like our clientele and vendors have been over these past 10+ years.

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

As already mentioned, after I was clear on the fact that I am kind of unemployable, it was time to get clear on what to do about it.

All I knew at the time were three parameters: the work needed to be flexible, meaning I am in control of my own schedule.

Second, the work shall be conducted remotely so that I could be with my baby, and travel to any place and any time we desired.

And third, I needed to have the freedom to take on as much or as little of work as I wanted, and the type of work that excited me.

Simple, right?

Next up were brainstorming sessions – from postit notes on a wall to venn diagrams in my notebooks, to honest conversations with people whom I trusted. My goal was to gain clarity on what I could offer, what I loved doing, what was needed on the market, etc.

Once I decided on virtual assistance, I learned the rest on the go – from developing a business plan, business model, marketing strategy to building a website, and learning social media marketing, sales…

I still remember the excitement of the possibilities, the terror of the unknown, and the lessons in making every single mistake I could possibly make in being one of the pioneers of a virtual assistance business in my area.

And yet, it was surprisingly easy to juggle caring for a newborn, building up what would soon become a premium online business management and consulting agency with clients worldwide… While still putting on high heels multiple times per week to masterfully network around the Tri-state area. And traveling for weeks on end.

The hardest was pricing. “Who would be willing to pay this much for that?” My mind could not compute how my colleagues were signing up $75/hr or $150/hr clients… until that one day when one of mine was holding a checkbook and offered to pay $250 without even blinking.

When our second daughter completed our family 2.5 years later, I felt like the sky was the limit! The fact that I had built an agency that enabled me to give myself a 3-month fully-paid maternity leave while the team continued to support our clients, only elevated this sense of pride and accomplishment.

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

The truth is that the tactics and strategies that worked 10 years ago, won’t quite working today; and what works right now, probably won’t next week. But there are some timeless principles.

I can honestly say that in these years, I pretty much did all sorts of marketing. Consistent newsletters. Daily social media posts. Hundreds of videos. And webinars, and trainings. Hundreds of articles written and published. Consistent networking online and in-person. Follow-up and outreach. 

In fact, I took over a local chapter of a nationwide organization for professional women just weeks after giving birth to my first daughter. So I put on my heels, put her in a carrier, and off we went to hold monthly meetings.

It might sound arrogant, but I really do not know of many people who have been as consistent in taking such massive actions on a daily basis. No. Matter. What. Of course, wisdom is in distinguishing between hustle and hassle, grit and grind.

But what ultimately moves the needle for me, are relationships. Writing. And speaking. The more authentic and simple, the better. So this might be a good reminder for the reader to be curious, try what you like, and then do that.

Now here is the other side of this coin: delivering what’s promised. And caring for people you get to work with. Still, we only know and can do so much, so don’t be afraid of asking for help. Hire those who are better than you in certain things. Let them help you in areas where you are not as strong but stuff still needs to get done in order to reach your audience, to meet your goals. So that you can remain focused on your strengths, your gifts. Your role as the CEO of your company.

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

While powering through short winter days of snuggling a newborn, caring for a toddler, managing my team, and planning to retire my husband… something unexpected happened.

Post-partum depression and two trips to the ER due to burnout, paired with incredible homesickness and grief after losing two grandparents whom I could not say proper goodbyes to, were clear signs that the same work ethic, strategies, and mindset that had given me everything, could now kill me.

I would love to say that what happened next was a movie-like epiphany and an instant transformation that has catapulted me right back to the top. But. It. Wasn't.

Through the journey that followed, I looked critically at everything: my beliefs, stories, attitude, habits, conversations, expectations. Including my business, marriage, family, myself.

I unlearned, undid, and unmasked it all to reevaluate, release, rethink, redefine, reframe, rebuild.

To heal, transform and transmute this feeling of deep disconnect, overwhelm, isolation, frustration. Because I knew I was meant for more... And that my business was meant for more...

After a few annual trans-Atlantic trips with the little ones (I mastered the art and science of flying solo with a baby and a toddler), I also felt called to move us all back Slovenia to heal, to reconnect, and to simply slow down. I no longer belonged here.

We didn’t move but the girls and I went there for 4 months. Upon our return, I experienced the dark night of the soul once again. I simply wanted to walk away from it all.

"This is not how this story ends," whispered my soul... so I leaned in even more.

By the time the world pressed pause in 2020, I felt transformed. Our home "in the mountains near the sea" became a sanctuary. We were gifted additional 18 months of family time as our kiddos would stay home during the pandemic.

My husband and I reconnected on a much deeper level. Exalted in his unconditional love, I realized just how much he has supported me by not letting me be less or playing small. By never trying to contain me.

I also reestablished boundaries in congruence with my core values. And, launched a new business, with a partner, that actually feels like something that will outlive us.
It feels like so much of this is eons away, and so do many things I still want to accomplish.

But here’s the thing: I didn’t do it on my own. It was hard to ask for help. It was challenging to receive it. But it was there all along – from my husband, our parents, to a very tight-nit circle of friends. And coaches and mentors I invested incredible amounts of resources to have their guidance and support.

How do you stay focused?

Athlete codes. And very limited time. And clear order of priorities. Seriously. A lot of us are experiencing this massive fatigue. There is so much happening. We are holding so much. And if you are neurodivergent, then that’s another layer you need to work though in order to function in the world. So what I find essential to remain focused, is this:

Being clear on the vision; this thing that makes my hear sing, that gives me this warm feeling that I can feel inside. This deep knowing of whatever is looking to emerge though me. This is the fire that gets me going.

Reverse-engineered plan that is easy to comprehend, execute on, and pivot when needed. And then having it all visually-accessible and color-coded.

Clarity around my capacity, order of priorities, and boundaries to assure I keep moving forward. This also includes being OK with the fluidity of it all. And, an accountability partner and a space to vent (some of the most productive times that move stale energy, bring clarity, and charge me into action).

Devoted self-care practice that includes consistent mindset work, energy healing and recalibration, physical fitness, proper nutrition, nurturing relationships and activities, and plenty of downtime for inspiration and integration.

These oftentimes allow me to accomplish more in a day than what I used to do in a whole week. With that, I then have the time, bandwidth, energy to also be a powerful householder, a present mom, supportive wife, caring friend.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

Would you believe me if I told you that I have no idea? For real. Let me offer something.

There are millions of coaches out there. Millions of consultants. My job is to focus on my own craft, art. On the energy I embody and exude as that’s the signature of anything and everything I produce and share with the world. So when I am in the right state, when I show up, when I take aligned action, the people and opportunities are magnetized to me in ways I could not possibly try to control.

What the competition is doing becomes simply irrelevant.

Because nobody else on this planet can serve the client the way I do with my own unique perspective, lived experience, and interpretation of teachings; nobody else can co-create this specific synergy, a sacred space with the client in this way; nobody can ask questions, offer a reflection, hold space or kick their arse the way I do.

Besides, I am not for everyone. Most of my clients are trailblazer, mystics, high-achieving women who live ahead of their times. There are oftentimes no blueprints, no points of reference to what they, we, are creating. What we are creating cannot even be done in a linear fashion and with conventional wisdom. So by the time mainstream catches up, we’re already eons away.

Lastly, there are plenty of clients, plenty of opportunities, and abundance of money for all of us.

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

Funny you ask this because my business partner and I were just talking about this. The funny thing about going first… We had each built successful companies, and at the time, we left no stone unturned. We cold-called. We quite possibly spammed people. We networked. We emailed. We followed up. You name it, we did it.

Sometime along the journey of transitioning and pivoting my business into consulting and coaching, I became really jaded by all the quasi rules of the industry. Don’t do this. Don’t say that.

For example: it cheapens the brand if you talk to people, make yourself available for questions, or reach out to people with an invitation. It is a waste of time if you don’t automate every step of the sales cycle and have people jump though hoops to sign up.

So even when I did market and promote, I did it in a dimmed, diluted way, and from a very apologetic energy. Which is so not who I am as a woman.

Naturally, the outcome was commensurate with the input; I felt really stuck. I knew I had something amazing to offer and it was really frustrating to be like this best-kept-secret, talking into void, and hearing crickets. What made the matters worse was seeing people who I knew had a fraction of my expertise and client success, pass me and bank millions. Oh, just saying that feels so silly now but it’s where I was.

See, once you’re in this energy, it really doesn’t matter what you do. You can tick off all the boxes, do all the right things, but it will feel like you’re just spinning the wheels.

So, I went back to the roots. Ditched the rules and assumptions. Who am I? What I enjoy doing? How can my audience feel my energy? What are my core expertise? What are my core values? Who do I serve? How can I best serve them? And where are they?

The answer for me was in writing: writing for publications that reach audiences beyond mine as well as through my own platforms. Where I have space to teach, to inspire, to dive into deep and complex topics that cannot be diluted into a bumper-sticker-esque phrase.

It’s speaking: speaking to my audience via our podcast, YouTube channels, Livestreams, as well as to wider circles though seminars, events, and being a guest on other podcasts. Again, getting vulnerable, going deep, and keeping it real.

It’s building and nurturing relationships: being of service, being a resource, a power connector. And being willing to ask them for help.

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

Dare to redefine success, to re-imagine the possible. And don’t be afraid to fail. In fact, you will make more mistakes and you will have more failures than victories, and that’s the beauty of the journey. In the end, it’s a process of growth and willingness to take risks and to bet on yourself, which oftentimes requires investing in the right support (because we are not meant to, nor can we, do it alone).

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

From apps, I’ll say Zillow because I totally geek out over architecture, especially floor plans! And what’s not to like about touring some of the most exquisite homes, envisioning all sorts of possibilities? I also like YouTube and Podcasts to listen to while I cook or drive.

The blog I am currently really into, is by Dr. Angela Lauria on Socially Responsible Coaching. She is dismantling the whole industry, stepping on a lot of toes, and shifting many paradigms.

As far as the books go, I am simply loving mine even though it has not been published yet. And Circling the Sun by Benka Pulko – if some families have Bibles to pass down through generations, I have two copies of this book to pass onto my girls. A few others I am reading simultaneously are Women Who Run With Wolves, Mating In Captivity, Law of Divine Compensation, and Atlas of the Heart.

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

I recently deleted social media apps from my phone and that alone gave back 4 hours of my time per day! So I am very intentional in where my time and attention go. Voxer is therefore one of my favorite tools for communication and client support that is also respectful of one’s time and availability.

Another invaluable tool I use all the time is Descript - video and audio transcribing, editing, re-formatting all in one. And Canva. Google Docs and Asana are amazing at keeping things organized and progressing smoothly.

Who is your business role model? Why?

I don’t mean to be righteous, but I really don’t have role models in a sense of putting people on pedestals. Or to aspire to be like them. Individuals who inspire me, do so in many ways and for multiple reasons. And that “list” keeps changing, evolving. Some are world-renowned athletes, entrepreneurs who reached celebrity-status. Some are community organizers and social justice advocates who remain behind the scenes. Some are simple every-day people who live down the street or across the town.    
Nonetheless, sometimes the list includes people who somehow push my buttons, who trigger me – because that offers an insight into my own limitations, prejudices, and untapped potential.    

How do you balance work and life?

I could tell you all about mindset work. Or routines. Or schedules and colorful sharpies. Or operating systems that have been automated.   

But the truth is that I happen to be one of those domestic witchy women who are just in their natural flow as householders, mothers, business owners,… And who has the most incredible kids and a true partner with whom it’s all just so easy. It all comes really naturally to me, but it hasn’t always. 

After suffering from severe burnout, I had to create a massive paradigm shift. First one was that there is no such thing as balance. It’s simply managing an order of priorities which is as fluid as it needs to be to accommodate everyone’s needs.

Then, it was opening to receiving support. Not just being able to ask for it, but to actually soften into receiving it without inducing an anxiety of OCD tendencies when things are not done exactly the way I might want them. Moreover – I had to learn to redefine support in the first place because I was raised to be strong and independent woman (because to not be one was quite literally fatal in my lineage).

And finally, it was turning to my own natural rhythm, and syncing that with Lunar Cycles and other celestial bodies that allowed me to organize my months, weeks, activities, and rest in the most optimal ways. By the way, this is something that my business partner Dianne Sykes, who’s a master physiologist and expert in all-things esoteric, has taught me. It’s a big part of the work we do in our Elite Mystique Agency.  

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

Anything that involves movement, water, woods, soil. Dogs and horses. Music, pen and paper. And a pint of Ben and Jerry’s. And building Legos with my daughters. And sexy time with my husband.

What do you have planned for the next six months?

Oh, it will be a really exciting time.

First, Dianne and I are launching our League of Extraordinary Women, a self-guided membership experience for cosmo-curious executive women who are looking to simplify complexities of modern-day living and leading. None of us women can do it alone...running a household, a career, and managing our own health. And really living to the fullest. It takes a village and we are building one. Through it, we provide Fitness, Nutrition, Lifestyle, Time Mastery, and Mental Brilliance support, guidance, teachings.

Pretty much everything you need to re-imagine health, happiness, and fun. We are calling in 1,000 women and if this intrigues you, come in and experience our pragmatic & esoteric approach to your advancement through our proprietary blend of biology, Western medicine, Eastern philosophy, Ancient yogic science and astrology with mindset, quantum strategy, business acumen. And mysticism. Our company is called Elite Mystique Agency for a reason.

Second, I am calling in a publishing company that will help me bring my book to the audiences around the world. “It Is Not That Simple” is a tale of 6 generations, 3 wars, and 1 woman’s cross-continental quest to reclaim her Primal Power. Timeless yet relevant especially now that we ran with the wolves; we ate, prayed and loved, we became untamed... 

Lastly, I am called back to Slovenia. A year-long experience tickles my heart and my daughters seem truly excited about it. Should it all work out, we’ll immerse ourselves in the culture, beautiful nature, and this nourishing energy surrounded by my family and friends. Plus, other European landmarks are then just a short ride away.

How can our readers connect with you?

The readers can find me on social media, on LinkedIn and Facebook. Also on our websites www.makeyourlifeyourlegacy.com and www.elitemystiqueagency.com

"Do your homework and research the business you want to begin" with Jackie Dodd

Photo Credit: Nancy Self

Jackie Dodd received both her undergraduate and law degrees from Texas Tech University. In 2001 she began her career at the Dallas District Attorney’s office and spent the majority of her time in the juvenile division. In 2008 she obtained her Board Certification in Juvenile Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. After working for three Family Law firms, today she not only practices Family Law but also Juvenile Criminal Defense, Adult Criminal Defense, and Special Education Law.

Can you tell our readers about your background? 

I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas.  I loved the multicultural feel of the city and at a young age I had a strong desire to help children and families in my community. Growing up with siblings who received special education services in the public school system was the reason that created a passion for wanting to help others. I obtained my undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies with an emphasis in Early Childhood Development and, prior to law school, obtained my Texas Teacher’s Certification.

What inspired you to start your business?

I started my private practice in order to be able to spend more time with my son who has specials needs.  He has Down syndrome along with some behavior issues and he needed me to be home a lot more than I was, previously, working for other law firms. I’m a single mom so I have to work. I am very grateful, as this has allowed me the opportunity to spend more quality time with him, doing activities we both enjoy. 

Where is your business based?

My main office is located in Allen, Texas and I also have a satellite office in Rockwall, Texas.  I practice Family Law, Juvenile Criminal Defense Law and Adult Criminal Defense Law in the surrounding counties of the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, including Dallas County, Collin County, Rockwall County and Denton County and I travel throughout the state for Special Education Law. 

How did you start your business?

I started my business after having worked for a few family law firms. I had been in private practice in the past and had been thinking about it for quite some time. I decided to take that leap of faith to see if it would work and in February of 2019, I left the Family Law firm and went into private practice. 

What were the first steps you took? 

It was important for me to have all business affairs in order and I consulted with an accounting firm to square up the legalities of opening my practice, and spoke with other attorneys and judges for experience and advice.  Prior to my ribbon-cutting ceremony, I purchased promotional items, printed flyers, and took on court-appointed cases to get my name out there.

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

The most effective way of raising awareness for my business has been getting involved in my community.  I try to talk with as many churches and organizations as possible about the different areas of law I practice to say, ‘Let me come in and talk to your parents and teenagers about how to keep your kids out of trouble and how to spot the beginning signs of trouble.’  I’ll talk to parents of children with special needs about available resources to ensure they are receiving the services and education they are entitled to. 

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

Some of the biggest challenges have been the fact I am a single parent and the Covid Pandemic.  As a single mom of a child with special needs, it’s difficult not having a good or constant support system. I don’t have a lot of people who can help me with him, as he can’t go into a regular daycare or summer camp program.  We’ve tried so many programs but he has been kicked out due to his behavior issues.  

The pandemic presented a whole new set of challenges, as I had to balance working from home in addition to assisting my son with distance learning. Overcoming these obstacles wasn’t easy; however, I am very fortunate to have several friends that have been extremely supportive, and whom I can rely on to work with him.  One is a former special education teacher of his who was tremendous help as she would pick him up from home and take him to her house during school hours, allowing me the time I needed to focus on work including online Zoom hearings and trials.

How do you stay focused?

I stay focused because I know all the effort that I put into my business provides me the opportunity to spend time with my son.  I am a very determined person and I have learned that I work when he is at school, having his iPad time, or asleep.  I also do a lot of work on the weekends that he spends with his father. 

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

I differentiate my business from the competition because I love my job. It can be grueling but I truly care about my clients and am determined to provide each and everyone with the best legal representation. Having a child with special needs has definitely heightened my experience when handling special education clients. I have personally experienced this process and can connect with my clients on their level. I tell all of my clients, in all areas of practice, that I am on their side and my goal is to help protect their futures.

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

My most effective marketing strategy to grow my business has been working with a local public relations and communications company that has helped with opportunities to get my name and practice out in the community. I have worked with our local police department on their programs for individuals with disabilities, and speaking engagements at local middle and high schools about the dangers of vaping to under-age students.  I have spoken at schools within various districts in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area about juvenile law and the dangers of what can happen when kids get involved in the legal system.  I also speak at continuing legal education seminars in educating other attorneys.  Another extremely beneficial way my business has grown is through word of mouth and referrals from my clients.

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

My best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs is to do your homework and research the business you want to begin. Create and have a business plan in place and take that leap of faith!  Believe in yourself and commit to yourself because if you want to do it badly enough then you will do it.

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

The best app I use for work is my time system app called Clio.  It helps me keep track of everything I do and the time I spend doing it.  Without it, I am sure I would not have the accountability I do for what I do.  In looking away from business, I love my Apple Watch app – it assists with work by getting text messages, phone calls, and emails as well as allowing me to keep track of my steps.  My favorite book is either the Texas Family Code, which I read frequently or Mommy Lawyer, which I have been reading to my son for years to help him understand what it is I do.

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

I would say the best business resource I have is the employees who work with me.  I cannot get my job done without them doing their job.  Dodd Law Offices, PLLC is not a business that I can do on my own, but instead with everyone who works with me. Each employee provides different skills and talents and together we represent our clients the best we can. This is how we are becoming more and more successful every day; each employee has their specialty and together we make an amazing team!

Who is your business role model? Why?   

My business role model is my grandfather.  My grandfather is 94 and possesses an incredible business mind.  He has always been an entrepreneur and is an amazing one.  He has never worked in the legal field but he has given me a wealth of business advice.  He is also the first one I call when I have a question or want business advice.  I am extremely lucky to be in my 40s and still have him providing me with all of his wonderful advice.  

How do you balance work and life?

The balance hasn’t always been easy and it presented challenges, especially when the pandemic hit.  However, it’s so important to me and I deliberately focus my efforts to achieve this goal.  I plan and try to cook and have dinner every night with my son, if I don’t have the time to prepare the meal, then he gets to choose a restaurant and we spend that quality time together. balance.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

My favorite way to decompress is to spend time with my son whether we are hiking, traveling or spending time with family and friends.  I also have a guilty pleasure of watching Hallmark and family-oriented movies.  One of my favorites is Heartland, I love everything about it and the horses fascinate my son.

What do you have planned for the next six months?  

I have recently hired two employees, one part-time and one full-time.  They have extremely assisted with my productivity.  During the next six months, I hope to become more efficient in what I do, leaving clients satisfied.  I am also hoping to be able to get back out to my community to start talking about the different areas of law that I practice to assist families and to help protect their futures.  I love educating others and this was the one thing that I lost when the pandemic hit.

How can our readers connect with you? 

Readers can connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook or via my website:

      https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-dodd-01304117b/

@DoddLawTexas

      https://www.facebook.com/DoddLawTexas

      https://doddlawtexas.com/

"Courage. Go for it! You never know until you try," with Jen Wells

Photo Credits: Jamie Wells

Jen Wells has a passion for matchmaking and has made a career out of helping companies and professionals build teams and careers they can love! In the process, she is building a company that she hopes people can call home as well. She works with startups hiring their first employee to Fortune 500 companies to guide them along their team-building journey. When she’s not building amazing digital and emerging technology teams, she’s enjoying the outdoors with her husband and two children.

Can you tell our readers about your background?

I started my career in marketing doing PR and then project management at a small digital marketing agency. At the digital marketing agency, I did everything from copywriting to SEO to paid search, updating website content, and even updating code (I’m so sorry to my developers for breaking things!). You name it, I probably did it or at least tried! I loved learning and being at a small, quickly growing agency. I was often drinking from a firehose and had no choice but to learn new things to keep up. We also had a hard time finding the right talent to grow our team. At that time, not everyone was doing digital marketing or even understood digital marketing. Our agency was purchased and I had the unique opportunity to join a former colleague and build a recruiting firm to help companies hire people like me. It was a great transition because I knew what it took to be successful in those digital marketing roles and I was now able to help companies find the right talent. 

What inspired you to start your business?

I started my business after years of being a part of another quickly growing staffing and placement firm. I wanted to build a staffing and placement firm that truly served both candidates and clients. I not only wanted to find top talent for my clients but I also wanted it to be a great match for the candidates. I like to call it professional matchmaking. I also aimed to build a company that gave its employees the balance they needed in their lives, whether that be getting their kids on and off the bus, attending that workout class in the middle of the day, having the flexibility to be a caretaker, walking your dog in the afternoon between calls, having extra time in the summers with their children, etc. We all are in different life stages and I strive to meet my employees where they are (and myself included!).

Where is your business based?

My business is based in Columbus, Ohio– Go Buckeyes! OH-IO!

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

Before I started my business, I took some time off to decide what I wanted after I left my previous firm. I was going back and forth with some other business ideas but ultimately decided to stay in recruiting. 

First, I decided on a name for the company. My husband, friends and family helped me come up with the right name, then I confirmed that the name was available and that we could get a similar URL for the website. I worked with an attorney because I wanted to do it right. There are great resources out there to help if you want to do it by yourself too. Once we had the legal business taken care of, I immediately got to work getting a website in place.  

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

For me, it has all been through networking. I really love helping people and all my clients are folks I have worked with in the past at other companies, folks I placed in the past or new referrals. Not a single client has been obtained from a cold call or cold lead. 

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

In entrepreneurship, you are faced with new challenges every day. That makes it exciting and sometimes draining all at the same time. Having the right people in your corner helps you overcome those challenges. 

When I first started TalentID, the biggest challenge was building a pipeline of new business. This wasn’t something I had done in the past. I was lucky enough to be introduced to a business coach who saw something in me and wanted to help. I am so thankful for the time he spent with me. He helped me build a process and the confidence to get out there and make it happen. 

The next biggest challenge I faced was hiring the right people. Yes, even as a recruiter, it is difficult to hire your own team and that first hire is always the hardest. You need someone who is willing to support where needed and that may change daily. You need someone flexible, organized and detail oriented! It took a lot of patience and interviewing folks to find the right person. And we did!

How do you stay focused?

Focus is never easy. I feel like I’m pulled in 100 different directions every day. I have found my to-do lists, when kept consistently, help me focus each day and make sure I don’t get distracted from my top priorities. Besides, I’m a proactive person and checking things off my list helps me to recognize everything I’ve accomplished that day and that feels good.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

Our firm looks at the bigger picture of staffing and recruiting. We can find top talent for organizations but if they aren’t considering the full candidate and employee experience from attracting the right talent, to hiring the right talent, to onboarding new employees and engaging employees, a company can’t retain their top talent.  

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

We put a lot of focus on networking and building relationships. As a staffing, recruiting, and consulting firm, networking is hugely important in growing our business. We pay referral fees from both the client end and the placement end. If someone refers us to a new company and that company uses our services to fill a position, we’ll pay a referral fee. The same goes for filling positions. If a candidate is referred or recommended to us on a role we have offered a referral fee, we will pay someone after that candidate has been employed for 90 days. The other big thing that has been successful for us is supporting folks in the job search. It only takes 15 minutes of our time to review a resume or a LinkedIn profile and provide good feedback that can really impact their job search. People remember when you help them. We have won new clients because of this and we have had amazing candidates sent our way. We are in the business of helping people find jobs they love, so I see it as a win-win. 

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

A new business doesn’t take off in days or typically months. For the best chance to succeed, you need: 

1. A small runway of time and money. If you don’t give yourself a runway, it becomes too rushed, or you run out of money before you know if it could be successful.

2. Courage. Go for it! You never know until you try.

3. A mentor AND a cheerleader. This may or may not be the same person. Find someone who can speak to you professionally and have a go to person that will cheer you along during your journey.

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

For me, apps can often be a distraction that pulls me into other things, taking me away from my focus. However, I love apps that sync to my email and files because it gives me the flexibility to do small tasks if I’m in between in-person meetings or running an errand.  

I follow a variety of digital marketing and tech blogs, making it difficult to name just one. Reading a variety of blogs keeps your knowledge sharp, gives you a variety of perspectives and helps you keep up with industry trends. 

Last of all, two of my favorite business-related books- ones I recommend often, are Let’s Get Real or Let’s not Play by Mahan Khalsa and Randy Illig and the One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard. They mainly focus on sales and team management. These are two skills that everyone should continuously improve. There are lots of other great books by Seth Goden, Malcolm Gladwell, Steven Covey and Patrick Lencioni, to name a few. 

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

Google. Everything is possible with Google. Google holds a wealth of information. Don’t know an acronym? Look it up. Want to know how to edit html? Look it up. Don’t recognize the name of a software someone mentioned? Look it up. Are you trying to educate yourself on a new industry trend? Look it up. Google helps me be more nimble and get immediate answers to questions. Of course, my lawyer and accountant make sure I’m doing things by the books as well.

Who is your business role model? Why?

There are well-known role models in the business world that everyone can point to and say, “I want to be like them.” But the individuals that have come in and out of my personal and professional life are the ones that have made the biggest impact on where I am and my business is today. 

I come from a family of entrepreneurs that have given me the belief that owning my own business was possible. They taught me work ethic and integrity. Early in my career, I had the privilege to work for a small consulting firm owned by a group of women who were smart, confident, and successful, all while balancing families. They taught me the ropes of the professional world while allowing me the opportunity to support them in meaningful ways. Next, I worked for a small agency where the owners taught me how to build relationships, negotiate, and have those difficult conversations. Most importantly, my direct manager gave me confidence while trusting me to manage myself. Today, I align myself with other business owners with the same values and drivers to make a positive impact on their clients’ businesses, treat their employees well and lead with integrity in every interaction, regardless of the situation.  

How do you balance work and life?

Balancing work and life is never easy. There are times when life is so busy, I don’t feel like I have enough time for work and other times, I feel like work is so busy, I don’t have enough time for life. There’s a constant tug-of-war in finding this daily balance. I have learned to be easier on myself as I gained experience, wisdom, and confidence. It’s okay to say, “My kids need me right now,” or “My friend needs me right now,” or even, “I need a break.”  I only get one shot at life and I want to do it right. A big part of starting my own business was because I felt like no woman (or individual) should have to choose between his or her work or kids, family, friends, volunteer activities, etc. You need to be fulfilled in all aspects of your life in order to keep doing good work every day. I feel like the professional world is slowly starting to catch on to this as well by providing more flexibility in the weekly work schedule!

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

I love spending time with my family and baking. And I’m pretty good at baking so it’s a good thing that I also love to decompress with running, working out and being outside in general.

What do you have planned for the next six months?

The next six months are focused on building out our processes to scale while ensuring our current clients receive top notch service. We have been growing steadily year-over-year and we are focused on preparing for the next level of growth for our company. 

How can our readers connect with you?

Readers can connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenwells/ or email me directly at jwells@talentidgroup.com.