How did the idea for #iHaveThisThingWithHashTagging come about?
I’m a total geek for hashtags – been surfing, stalking, browsing, observing, tracking, researching, testing and initiating them for years now – and of course when I talk to my people about specific challenges with the management of social media for their businesses they don’t ‘get’ them – what they’re used for or how or why. And even even if they know a bit, the information they have is limited and often conflicting – so I know my stuff, and I’m here to set the record straight.
What are you passionate about?
Funnily enough I’m best summed up by the hashtag #CommunityOverCompetition!!
I love sharing knowledge and information – I have the phrase Saw This & Thought Of You as a shortcut when I type because I’m always fielding images, articles, quotes and anecdotes to friends and family and clients and colleagues. My background is in research so that way of thinking and of navigating content will always show through with my work.
What do you love most about your business?
I love that it’s all mine!! So simple right – but every piece of work, every project past current or future, every opportunity, like and follower I singlehandedly went out and grafted for and that gives me great satisfaction.
Describe yourself in 5 words….
Waaaah!! It’s been a while!!
Sharp smart savvy fierce & funny ↞ boom x
When you were 10 you wanted to be..why?
I used to answer journalist to that question without hesitation but looking back I’ve come to realise I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life until I was thirty years young, doing the baby thing, and finally getting some answers to all those life shaping questions.
How do you go about building a successful & loyal referral base?
Community is key. When I work with someone they become an integral member of my tribe – their questions, experiences, needs, successes and failures are the fuel for the entrepreneurial engine at the heart of my business. So I nurture these relationships, offer ongoing support, and of course they get the full Saw This & Thought Of You treatment 😉 These practices get me priceless word of mouth referrals and day by day I’m building up this base.
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
I’m my own inspiration. I’m very focused. I don’t compare myself with others or look at what or how they’re doing. I look within – your classic case of working on myself, for myself, by myself.
What makes you smile every time?
I love a good ecard. Famously have one on hand for every occasion – and those really obscure ones that totally nail my quirky traits get me every time.
Where do you get your creative energy from?
I’m a writer by trade and a people watcher by nature; one simple beautifully normal interaction can literally keep me going for days.
What systems do you set up in your business to help it grow?
I’m a Working Mum so for me the challenge is always balance – a familiar story I’m sure. I recently set up a system where every project I have, every task I need to complete – personal and professional, along with my responsibilities to my family, my household – and myself!! Are detailed in one place. It’s been a game changer for me and answered so many questions about why I was previously getting stuck – and how to put that right going forward.
What was a watershed moment in your business journey?
Separating out the two sides of my business – I’m a writer and poet by trade and the distance between my poetry community and my small business tribe was just so vast I was compromising my message in order to speak to both groups simultaneously. As soon as I accepted that and allowed myself to communicate through two very different – and distinct – channels a whole new world opened up. It was an amazing feeling, suddenly everything fell into place – a real ahaaa moment!!
How is running a successful business different to what you may have thought it would be?
I’m the classic special kind of foolish who thought being my own boss meant I would set my own hours *laughs hysterically* …When the truth is I just work All The Hours!! Crazy but I love it – and I do it in the name of laying the foundations for that dreamy lifestyle further down the track.
What do you struggle with most as a business owner?
Boundaries. In all areas. With my time, my costs, and my services. Finding that balance between giving my all and having value. Especially as a work at home mum – I never really leave my workspace, never close a door behind me physically, so I never truly log off and that’s something we entrepreneurs all need to get practiced in the art of doing.
Given your experience, what pieces of advice do you have for women starting a business?
Opportunity doesn’t knock – we do – go get ’em.
Do one thing every day that scares you – push, forward, always.
Embrace your errors – like this: oh thank fuck I just made that ridiculous mistake, I’m about to learn So Much right now 😉
Any destination?
I see white sand, azure sea, glass bottom hut floating on it – masseur, chef & unlimited English chocolate included 😉 x
