"Women are leaders everywhere you look, from a CEO to a house wife that holds together a home. Our country was built by women who stand alone" Denise Clark
Everyweek we will feature the adventures of one amazing woman. We aim to celebrate the varied and colourful roles women play within industry and business. Experience inspirational, real stories by real women; Interested in being featured? Please send your adventures to info@zarsmedia.com For previous adventures please click here
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Starting a start-up - my midlife (ad)venture!
Being a Lone wolf ... The buck stops here
I am becoming more and more convinced that this is my midlife crisis. Why would anyone in their right mind choose to set up their own business? When you have a regular job, you may well go to work - at a workplace. For example, you could be a solicitor and you might work in a swanky office building. In those offices there will probably be:
- a receptionist
- other solicitors (or “fee-earners”)
- secretarial or administrative staff
- an accounts department
- a sales and marketing team
- a back office where useful folk do proper jobs like the post and photocopying
- not to mention the essential catering staff and cleaners
However, should you take leave of your senses and decide to go freelance, guess who gets to be all of the above?!
I jest, of course. A small business has no need of a vast range of personnel. However, as a company grows more people are required to provide the services
(or make the goods). Which then means that even more people are needed to support those people and their profit-making activities.
One of the best things about working for yourself is not having a myriad of other managers, co-workers or support staff to please, negotiate with and/or bear in mind. It is the ultimate in freedom - just you, making all the decisions and doing all the work!
On the other hand, it is also quite a responsibility. Just you. Making all the decisions. And doing all the work ... with no managers to give advice, co-workers to share with or support staff to delegate to!
So, it can be daunting at times. But I’m determined to persevere.
As I am at the start-up stage, I am currently focusing on building my client-base. Sales and marketing is key. I am being proactive, making contact with people who I feel may be able to use my services (or who might be in a position to recommend me to others).
I am using the internet to develop my company’s presence, building a picture of who I am and what I do.
However, most importantly, I am meeting with potential clients and others who are in a similar situation to me. I love the cost-effective ways we can now reach out to people over the web, and I find email contact to be an excellent, non-threatening way to introduce myself. But as far as I am concerned, there is absolutely nothing better than meeting someone face-to-face.
Over the course of the last few weeks I have met a fabulous new client, which has resulted in some interesting and challenging work. I met a representative of my local Chamber, a lovely woman who truly knows the Black Country business world and really wants to help members to connect, build relationships and grow. And recently I met a great graphic designer, who lives locally and who also set up on his own just a couple of years ago. I believe we will be able to refer clients to each other and I love being able to support other small businesses in this way.
Right - back to it! To end on a final, positive note regarding the good things about working for yourself - I'm typing this while still in my pyjamas, sitting in bed!!!
Stella Broster
Director
58 productions | communications
Specialising in marketing communications and relationship-building. A passionate and tenacious small business-owner, focused on business acceleration, client retention and profitable growth.
Being a Lone wolf ... The buck stops here
I am becoming more and more convinced that this is my midlife crisis. Why would anyone in their right mind choose to set up their own business? When you have a regular job, you may well go to work - at a workplace. For example, you could be a solicitor and you might work in a swanky office building. In those offices there will probably be:
- a receptionist
- other solicitors (or “fee-earners”)
- secretarial or administrative staff
- an accounts department
- a sales and marketing team
- a back office where useful folk do proper jobs like the post and photocopying
- not to mention the essential catering staff and cleaners
However, should you take leave of your senses and decide to go freelance, guess who gets to be all of the above?!
I jest, of course. A small business has no need of a vast range of personnel. However, as a company grows more people are required to provide the services
(or make the goods). Which then means that even more people are needed to support those people and their profit-making activities.
One of the best things about working for yourself is not having a myriad of other managers, co-workers or support staff to please, negotiate with and/or bear in mind. It is the ultimate in freedom - just you, making all the decisions and doing all the work!
On the other hand, it is also quite a responsibility. Just you. Making all the decisions. And doing all the work ... with no managers to give advice, co-workers to share with or support staff to delegate to!
So, it can be daunting at times. But I’m determined to persevere.
As I am at the start-up stage, I am currently focusing on building my client-base. Sales and marketing is key. I am being proactive, making contact with people who I feel may be able to use my services (or who might be in a position to recommend me to others).
I am using the internet to develop my company’s presence, building a picture of who I am and what I do.
However, most importantly, I am meeting with potential clients and others who are in a similar situation to me. I love the cost-effective ways we can now reach out to people over the web, and I find email contact to be an excellent, non-threatening way to introduce myself. But as far as I am concerned, there is absolutely nothing better than meeting someone face-to-face.
Over the course of the last few weeks I have met a fabulous new client, which has resulted in some interesting and challenging work. I met a representative of my local Chamber, a lovely woman who truly knows the Black Country business world and really wants to help members to connect, build relationships and grow. And recently I met a great graphic designer, who lives locally and who also set up on his own just a couple of years ago. I believe we will be able to refer clients to each other and I love being able to support other small businesses in this way.
Right - back to it! To end on a final, positive note regarding the good things about working for yourself - I'm typing this while still in my pyjamas, sitting in bed!!!
Stella Broster
Director
58 productions | communications
Specialising in marketing communications and relationship-building. A passionate and tenacious small business-owner, focused on business acceleration, client retention and profitable growth.
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