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Entrepreneur Interview: Kristyn Taylor – K. Noelle Artistry

September 4, 2017 by Karin Beery 1 Comment

I’m so excited today to interview Kristyn Taylor, owner of K. Noelle Artistry – Hair and Makeup Design. Though most of my entrepreneurs run digital/online companies, Kristyn works in “the real world,” helping women present their best selves. Like many of us, she’s learned on-the-job, and today she’s giving us a look at her life.

Welcome! Please tell us about your business.
K. Noelle Artistry- Hair and Makeup Design: I am a licensed hair and makeup artist. I design hair and makeup for special occasions, mostly weddings. I started my business almost 14 years ago. It all started after I took a stage makeup class in college, then began pursuing work as a makeup artist, which eventually evolved into hair and makeup. Though I primarily work with brides, I’m also trained in stage make-up.

What has been your biggest struggle in launching your business/career?
Time and technology (maintaining my website and Facebook page while also running my business and homeschooling my kids).

How are you overcoming it?
Each wedding season/year builds on the previous year, and every year I meet new vendors and persons that connect me to new avenues, which helps me find new ways to make better use of my time. I have hired someone to help me with the technology aspects (mainly website).

What’s surprised you the most about working for yourself?
My time management skills. I’ve had to work on it.

What’s your favorite part of this kind of work?
Meeting people face-to-face that I never would have had a chance to meet before. I also love bringing out the features of each client, enhancing the outward beauty of a person.

Is there any one event/moment that helped you move from starting your own business to making a living with your own business?
Not a specific event, but the boom of destination weddings up in Traverse City has increased my work tremendously.

If you could give a new freelance workers/entrepreneurs one piece of advice, what would it be?
Three things: education (keep learning your skill/trade – I regularly attend industry conferences and events), network (online and in person – take advantage of local networking events), and stay true to who you are.

If you could do one thing differently in your career, what would it be?
Have weddings take place during the week and not start until 9 a.m.!

What’s your favorite kind of work? Why?
Coordinating and organizing the event. I love helping clients with their hair and make-up needs, but it’s fun to be part of the whole process.

What does your work space/office look like?
I have a salon at home, but I usually work anywhere and everywhere – tiny rooms, big rooms, hotels, condos, bathrooms, patios, or any place with a flat surfaces! I work on-location for most events, so I go wherever my clients are.

What does your work day look like?
If it’s an office day, I send emails, write contracts, and file paperwork.

Events are more exciting. The night before, I load my car with my kit, chair, table, and light. The morning of the event I rise quite early, eat/get my coffee, do my own hair and makeup, then arrive 30 minutes prior to start time. That gives me time to set up my station before I begin curling/pinning/ applying makeup. I very rarely have time for breaks, as I’m usually on a deadline. Before the event, I do final touch-ups, clean up my equipment, then find something to eat before going home exhausted.

What’s your go-to snack when you need one?
Dark Chocolate (or a good salad, when I’m being good).

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Please look for me online!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knoelleartistryhairandmakeup/
Website: http://www.knoelleartistry.com/

Entrepreneur Interview: Allison Fab Howell, FAB Over

August 7, 2017 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

Setting up your online presence is easy, but these days videos are the trend in social media engagement. That can stir up some anxiety (in women and men) when you think about stepping in front of the camera. That’s how Allison “FAB” Howell felt, but she didn’t let it stop her. Instead, she combined all of her passions to help other female entrepreneurs feel more confident in themselves. Here’s Allison’s story.

Welcome to Write Now Edits! Please, tell us about your business. Please include what you do, when you started your own business, and why.
My name is Allison “FAB” Howell- social worker by day, Life Stylist by night. As a Life Stylist, I empower female entrepreneurs who have been hiding behind old photos and stock images to work through insecurities about their appearance so they’re confident and at ease when it comes to sharing their FABulous business & gifts with the world. I do this through Life Style Coaching and online courses (using my background in fashion, makeup, psychology, social work).

However, I didn’t start with this clarity. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a teacher, and artist, and a singer. I used to design clothes for my Barbies, and began making my own jewelry at the age of nine.

In college, the teacher interest morphed into psychology as I struggled with anxiety and depression. But I wanted something more hands-on, so I ended up changing my major to Social Work. I helped pay my way through school with retail jobs in fashion. After graduation and an internship, I got a “real” social worker, because that’s what I thought I was supposed to do.

But my passion for creativity never went away. I was a freelance makeup artist and tried my hand at network marketing with a few cosmetics companies. I eventually began designing and selling my jewelry as a business while growing my family and continuing my 9-5 (which is really a 7:30-5, plus the commute… *go ahead an laugh, I do too each time I type it and dream of starting work at 9 a.m.).

But something always felt off.

I spent years trying to fit everyone else’s version of “trendy” or “professional,” only to feel out of place and insecure.

Living in a poverty-stricken small rural town for nine years, I knew the key to a successful business could be found online, but I was scared to show up as me, not to mention exhausted from everyday life. It seemed like SO much work to get all dolled up to record a video, and I feared that people wouldn’t take me seriously if I showed up in my pajamas.

Eventually I learned to feel comfortable in my own skin and stop living by everyone else’s style and business “rules.” I began teaching people what I had learned through my years in fashion, makeup, psychology, social work. A coach suggested Personal Appearance Branding, and here we are.

It’s SO important to me to share this message that God placed in my heart because I believe that true beauty is a gift from our creator and shines through our spirit. That’s why real beauty is not boastful, prideful or selfish – it’s the fullest expression of God’s light in our world. It’s not only about makeup, clothes, and accessories, but a strong connection with spirit and self, expressed through our smile, appearance, and personality. When we see our beauty as an expression of that, we can allow it to shine through us in all ways, and share it as service to others.

What has been your biggest struggle in launching your business/career?
Clarity! In case you didn’t notice from my journey above, I’m definitely multi-passionate! So I try to help everyone. But when I’m not clear on my own messaging, people don’t take me seriously as business owner.

How did/are you overcoming it?
I’ve worked with a few different coaches and have been in masterminds that have been very helpful. But one key piece has been learning to lean into God more and trust the process. It’s definitely something I’m still working on and probably will always need reminders/guidance with.

What’s surprised you the most about working for yourself?
How much accountability I need. I never realized how important it was for me in all areas of my life. As I’ve grown as an entrepreneur, I’ve also grown as a person and become more aware of what does and doesn’t work for me. Even though I need alone time (true introvert at heart) , it’s imperative that I share my goals/desires with others and have regular check-ins to keep moving forward.

What’s your favorite part of this kind of work?
Seeing the transformation! It’s my absolute favorite thing in all the jobs that I’ve had, but especially as a Life Stylist. The moment when my clients are filled with FABulous confidence to move forward and share their own gifts with the world is SO rewarding! Just thinking about it puts a smile on my face!

Is there any one event/moment that helped you move from starting your own business to making a living with your own business?
In full transparency, I am still working my full-time job as well. However, the moment I became clear on how I really (deep down inside) want to and am being divinely guided to use my gifts to best serve the world, everything began to fall into place.

If you could give a new freelance workers/entrepreneurs one piece of advice, what would it be?
Trust the small voice inside of you (you know more than you give yourself credit for) & find someone you admire to help guide you (as a coach) along the way.

If you could do one thing differently in your career, what would it be?
I would have gotten clearer/trusted myself/taken more deliberate inspired action earlier in the process instead of second guessing myself along the way. However, I believe that all things are working for my good (it’s actually a little song I sing to myself based on Romans 8:28) so I’m trusting the process.

What’s your favorite kind of work? Why?
I love helping my clients identify the themes/trends in what they want, especially when it comes to their style. When I see a Pinterest board full of different things that they love, my brain automatically starts connecting the dots of their style & seeing it come to life.

When I was little, my parents used to buy, restore, and refinish antique furniture. I’ve always had a eye for the potential (the beauty that lies in the midst of the chaos). So helping other people see it too (and then the lightbulbs that go off in their life) is incredibly rewarding!

What does your work space/office look like?
I have a desk in the upstairs loft/open area of our house (next to the kids’ TV). The desk is white and decorated with pops of color and glitter decor (glitter background on my vision board, a rainbow calendar, a hot pink mouse). Pretty much my business in a nutshell- haha.

What does your work day look like?
I get up half an hour before I need to get ready for work (between 5:30 & 6 a.m.) and start with a few minutes of gratitude. Then I begin posting/engaging on social media. I leave for my social work job around 7 a.m and don’t get home until about 5:45 p.m. While I’m there, I do as much Life Styling as possible on my breaks, and my lunches are often filled with connection calls or a Facebook Live.

When I get home in the evening, we try to have dinner together as a family and watch one of our favorite shows (pre-recorded of course!) before it’s time to prep for the next day (get clothes ready for everyone, check our schedules, plan lunchs, etc). Once the kids are in their rooms winding down to sleep, my husband often works on his studies (he’s taking classes online) and I do content creation, check emails, and follow up with clients before heading to bed around 9:30 or 10 p.m.. I’m a crazy person if I don’t get enough sleep!

What’s your go-to snack when you need one?
I really love something with crunch! My favorite is Flaming Hot Cheetos, but I also love tortilla chips. And I ALWAYS have a tall glass of water with me (wherever I go). I can’t stress enough how key water is to feeling FABulous!

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks for taking the time chat with me through these thought- provoking questions. If you’d like to know more (I’m usually an open book), feel free to reach out through my website or come find me in the Find Your FAB group on Facebook. It’s where I love to share my random quirks & insights about how amazing I think every woman already is and help them discover what their version of FABulous looks & feels like.

If you’d like to learn more about Allison and what she does, checkout her website (fabover.com) or connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Entrepreneur Interview: Rebecca Camarena

July 3, 2017 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

Are you an expert in your field? Have you ever thought about writing a book to share your expertise? If you have, and you’re not a professional writer, then you probably need someone like Rebecca Camarena. More than just an editor, she helps people with every step of the book writing/publishing process. Here’s how she does it.

Tell us about your business. Please include what you do, when you started your own business, and why.
I’m a book coach and editor. I have been working with authors for the last ten years guiding them through all the steps of self-publishing (writing, editing, publishing and marketing). I started my business doing book publicity and then gradually moved into editing and book coaching. It was hard to see authors being taken advantage of by many unscrupulous places and people. I’m a hands-on person providing one-on-one attention to all my clients. I always provide honest feedback and work until the client is satisfied. It’s a satisfying experience when they hold that book in their hands.

What has been your biggest struggle in launching your business/career?
I think the biggest struggle has been mindset. I always worked for someone else in Corporate America and was told what to do. Now, that I’m the boss it’s up to me to figure out what I want, what direction I want to go in, and how to get there. There is no one else to rely on. It’s all on me. But it comes with satisfaction knowing that the end result is helping authors publish their books. The single drawback about working in a company of one is that there is no one else at the Christmas party.

How are you overcoming that obstacle?
Each day I welcome new challenges and continue to raise expectations for myself. I am constantly learning and reaching out to those who have more expertise than I do. By holding myself to higher expectations, I can help my clients with more of their needs.

What’s surprised you the most about working for yourself?
I’m really surprised at how eager I am to learn, grown, and challenge myself. I have always been a self-starter, but if anyone had told me how much fun it would be working for me, I would have tried it years ago.

What’s your favorite part of this kind of work?
My passion is writing and editing. My degree is in English Literature. I love how the words flow on a page. I’m fascinated by how twenty-six letters of the English alphabet can make so many stories. While it can be a struggle sometimes to get the words to flow on the page, when they do come together it’s like fitting together the pieces of a puzzle.

Is there any one event/moment that helped you move from starting your own business to making a living with your own business?
I’m a service-based business, and the pivotal part of my business was getting clients. Rather than constantly be on the search for new clients, I decided to offer more services. Up to this point, I had been strictly focusing on helping people market books, so I added in editing, ghostwriting, and publishing. This allow me to work with authors at any stage of the book process. The longer they work with me, the more trust is built between us. Often times, they will refer others to me and come back with their second and third books.

If you could give a new freelance workers/entrepreneurs one piece of advice, what would it be?
Educate yourself on all aspects of your business, including financial, sales, content marketing, and social media. Have annual, quarterly, monthly, and weekly goals in place. Find experts in your field to emulate or hire as a coach. Network with people, build relationships, and provide value to your customers. Focus on your strengths and hire out your weaknesses.

If you could do one thing differently in your career, what would it be?
I wouldn’t judge myself so harshly. I realize I push myself too much to be better, to know more, but sometimes I just need to take a step back and look at how far I have come in being a book coach and at how many authors I have helped. I need to savor the successes.

What’s your favorite kind of work? Why?
I enjoy editing. Writers tend to be overly protective of their words, but as an editor, I can objectively advise and suggest improvements.

What does your work space/office look like?
My work space is a room in my house. It is a blank canvas with white walls and white curtains to bring in as much natural light as possible. I don’t like colors on the walls as it makes the room feel smaller. Since writing is entirely personal, I prefer to add my own touches through pictures and writer objects that make the space feel comforting and allow for creativity.

What does your workday look like?
Sometimes it seems that I work around the clock. I take advantage of any time I can get. If I have to step away during the day, I’m back at the computer at night. I use time blocks for hours, and at least one day a week I devote the entire day to writing. There is a certain amount of detail to everything I do, so it’s difficult to spend thirty minutes on any one thing. Client calls are in the morning or evening. I’m very flexible and understand that sometimes authors have a job and can’t be available during the day. Friday is mostly for administrative work.

What’s your go-to snack when you need one?
I’m so involved in my work that I don’t snack. I make it a point not to bring food into my work space. There’s just too much of a possibility for things to fall on the computer or get the keys greasy.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Nothing is impossible. The word itself says, “I’m possible.” No matter your dream, find a way to make it come true. We live in an age where ambition and technology can truly make things happen. Embrace it!

Thank you so much for appearing on my blog – have a blessed day!

Entrepreneur Interview: Karie Price

June 5, 2017 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

Marketing. Branding. Messaging. You may not want to worry about it, but if you want your business to succeed (and who doesn’t?) then you need to give it some time and attention. One way to do that – talk with a branding coach like Karie Price, today’s interviewee! With 20 years of experience, she knows what she’s talking about, and she’s passionate about helping other women brand and expand their businesses.

Hi Karie, and welcome! For starters, please tell us about your business: what you do, when you started your own business, and why.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to share with you and your readers! I’m Karie Price, and I’m a Brand Messaging Coach helping ambitious women business owners find and own the words to stand out, be heard, and Make Your Message ROAR™. That means having a message that is Relatable, One-of-a-kind, Actionable, and Reliable.

I started this version of my business in the fall of 2016, but I had my first full service branding agency 15 years ago. Back then, we didn’t have social media (can you even IMAGINE what that’s like?) and together with my husband (who is a graphic designer) we did all of the brand development. I have background as a business analyst, so I know how to quickly learn about a business, asking the questions that probe deeper than the surface answers. That allowed me to develop a process to learn what we needed to know to position our clients uniquely in the market. Back then, we even developed the concept of a small group workshop. We were told by one of our advisors that it was a great idea, but we were ahead of our time.

Fast forward 14 years when I was ready to go back into business for myself full time. With social media, it’s even easier for a small business to get started and market themselves, but that also means there is a lot of competition. Competition is not a bad thing (it means there is a market for what you do), but it does mean that it’s even more imperative that you find a way to stand out in the market. Having a one-of-a-kind message is one of the most strategic ways to do that.

I knew I wanted to help more small business owners, especially women, build the foundations for successful businesses that survive and thrive in the market. I also know it can cost tens of thousands of dollars to have an agency develop that for you, so I set out to help female business owners find and own their words – to leverage the process I’ve been using for years with my done-for-you clients – so they could have the benefits of a well-defined brand message that truly sets them apart.

What has been your biggest struggle in launching your business?
My biggest struggle is probably impatience and wanting everything now. Having owned multiple businesses over the years, I know that it takes time, perseverance, and focused marketing to really establish yourself. There are so many things I “want” to do in and for my business, but everything takes longer than I think it should.

How are you overcoming it?
I had to really focus on the “right” activities – the revenue-generating activities – and let some things just be “good enough” until I could spend more time on them. I’m a recovering perfectionist and want all my ducks in a row, but not all of those things can be done at the same time. Also, by focusing on the revenue-generating activities and serving clients, I can invest in getting support and outsourcing tasks that free me up for the most important work in my business.

What’s surprised you the most about working for yourself?
That I’m the hardest boss I’ve ever worked for! It’s a balancing act as a business owner to want to work hard and not burn out. It’s part of the reason why I left my day job – to minimize stress, have more time for family, friends, and myself – but I fell into the trap of working round the clock for a while. It got to the point where my husband stopped asking me “ARE you working tonight/this weekend?” and started asking me “WHAT are you working on tonight/this weekend?”. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard work building a business, but it needs to be sustainable and enjoyable, especially in those early years when you’re not necessarily making the money you want and you know you’re investing in the future. Now I schedule no-work nights during the week (Tuesday and Friday) and at least one full weekend day with no work.

What’s your favorite part of this kind of work?
Being able to truly help my clients on their paths to success. It’s so rewarding to see the results my clients get, celebrating with them with every new client they attract, seeing how excited they are to put themselves out there because marketing is so much easier. I’m able to make a difference in their businesses in their lives, and that feels amazing. I think we all want to find a way to leave a mark on the world, and I’m so thankful to be able to do it this way – doing something I really love.

Is there any one event/moment that helped you move from starting your own business to making a living with your own business?
Definitely leveraging my process into a small group format. Working with clients one-on-one is a lot of fun, but taking a small group of business owners through the process together is what allows me to scale my time and grow my income without burnout. A lot of work goes into organizing and creating the content to do that, of course, but it’s a process I’ve been successfully using for a long time now, so it was time to package it up into a program.

If you could give a new entrepreneurs one piece of advice, what would it be?
Know that owning a business is a marathon and not a sprint. That might sound cliché, but I still fall victim to trying to do too much at once, and it’s exhausting. Because of that, be very strategic with your time. Focus on the right activities. Find people to help you so you can be more efficient. I invest with business and marketing coaches to help me know what to do without reinventing the wheel and have hired a virtual assistant to do the tasks that don’t require ME to be the person to do them. I know that feels daunting at first, but if these investments can pay for themselves in a relatively short time frame, they will help you grow your business more quickly. The 10 hours a month that I use my VA saves me probably 30-40 hours of my time trying to figure those things out. She’s way more efficient at it, and I’m a whole lot less stressed.

If you could do one thing differently in your career, what would it be?
I would have invested in coaches and mentors sooner. It wasn’t until this round of business ownership that I truly understood how beneficial that is. I’m seeing much more success, more quickly, without trying to figure it all out on my own. I wonder what my prior businesses might have been like if I would have done that.

What’s your favorite kind of work? Why?
I truly love to mentor others and help them to be their best selves. I have always been a person who is able to see patterns, processes, and systems to be more efficient. I also am able to see multiple sides of the same situation. This allows me to provide the outside perspective for my clients that they can’t see for themselves. We ALL need that. I get outside perspective from others (my coaches and my husband, who is in the industry) because we’re too close to our own stuff.

What does your work space/office look like?
I’m fortunate to have a dedicated office in my house. For my birthday last year, I invested in a custom built-in that takes up one wall in the room with storage and two desk areas. I use one desk area as my primary workspace, and the other is set up with my webcam and lighting so I can do video calls and livestreams. We’re working on clearing out another room of our house to create a dedicated video studio so I can do even better videos for my own marketing.

What does your work day look like?
I’ve been working a lot over the past couple months to really fine tune my daily schedule. I’m usually up around 6 a.m. to take care of things around the house. I exercise most weekday mornings by walking on my treadmill (while catching up on my favorite show). I’m just starting PiYo which is a pilates/yoga combination to work in as well. Then I shower and get ready for the day.

I’m usually at my desk by 9 a.m. and focus on key prep for the day. It’s not until after I do that, that I check email and Facebook. This has been a big change for me. I used to check Facebook first thing in the morning, before ever getting out of bed, and felt like my day started out of my control. Now I take care of me first, key activity and planning, THEN see what the world wants from me.

I do take a break away from my office for lunch – a full hour – before getting back to it until around 5 p.m. Mondays and Fridays are mostly internal working days – where I’m working on new content, programs, marketing, professional development. Tuesdays I spend more time on social media, because I do a live stream mini training every Tuesday in my Facebook group, so I pop into a few other places to go live while I’m set up, and check in to see who I can help and support. The balance of Tuesday – Thursday are client focused, calls getting to know people, and marketing.

I do work a few evenings a week, and I usually try to keep that to 1-2 hours. Sometimes that’s engaging on social media. Sometimes I stay logged off and just get some focused, uninterrupted time to work. I’ve been trying to minimize work time on the weekends, but usually find myself putting in a few hours.

What’s your go-to snack when you need one?
Baby carrots with guacamole or hummus. Seriously, so yum. I often pair that with sopprasata (a kind of salami). (Ok, now I’m hungry!)

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Entrepreneurship is not for everyone, and that’s okay, but if you ARE one of those people who wants to work for yourself, create your own business, serve the world with your brilliance, and leave your own legacy, it will be the hardest thing you’ve ever done – and the most rewarding all at the same time. But if you want more than a hobby – if you really want to make money – think like a business owner. (I’m always surprised when I encounter entrepreneurs who tell me they’ve never thought of themselves as a business owner.) Be smart. Invest wisely. Find your unique brilliance. Don’t settle for getting lost in the crowd. Make Your Message ROAR!
—

Karie Price is a Brand Messaging Coach helping ambitious women business owners find and own the words to stand out, be heard, and Make their Message ROAR™. With more than 20 years of experience in branding and business analysis, she guides her clients to uncover and master their Relatable, One-of-a-kind, Actionable, and Reliable message, so that they can boldly and confidently own their place in their market.

Connect with Karie on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/KariePrice

Or join her in The Messaging Den, where established women business owners gather to fiercely support each other in standing out, being heard, and making their message ROAR. http://TheMessagingDen.com

Entrepreneur Interview: Shari Sant

May 1, 2017 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

How many of you would like to free up a few minutes each day? Maybe you hate posting to social media, or you’re tired of trying to think of new topics for your newsletters. Shari Sant has made a career out of helping people like you – by working as a Virtual Assistant she’s providing for her family and helping small business owners focus on what they really want to do. Here’s how Shari does it:

Hi, and thanks for your willingness to appear on my blog! I’m looking forward to sharing your knowledge and advice with the rest of the world (at least with the small portion of it that follows my blog). Please tell us about your business: what do you do, when did you start your own business, and why?
Hi Karin, 5 years ago (so 2012) I started proof reading and copy typing, as well as a touch of data entry for some family friends as a way of doing something with my day. In 2013, I walked away from a bad situation and needed to start making a living for myself and three kids, so I pulled my socks up and started taking my business seriously and built it up. I love that I can be there for my kids and not worry about taking time off for medical reasons, my kids love it too and cannot wait to start their own businesses now. I slowly added in more services, and today I offer a very wide variety of virtual administration/business support services. From full business support, email management, social media management, content creation to simple tasks such as data entry and proof reading.

What has been your biggest struggle in launching your business/career?
My biggest challenge has been confidence in myself. It held me back from pushing my business further and taking the necessary steps to grow.

How did/are you overcoming it?
Taking risks. I decided to step out of my boundaries and even paired up with another local VA who would drag me along to meetings. If I ever second guess myself I will reach out to her, or to family and friends who encourage me to take the risks, and re-enforce that I can do it.

What’s surprised you the most about working for yourself?
How little people actually understand about self-employed individuals. In a corporate career you have set hours, and go in to an office every day so people know when they can get in touch with you, or where. Working for your yourself you have to set clear guidelines on when you are available and through what channels. Sometimes particular roles, such as VA work, are not quite understood either, so you spend more time explaining what you do rather than obtaining business.

What’s your favorite part of this kind of work?
My passion is helping people, and working as a VA allows me to fullfil that passion. I love it when my clients make that sigh of relief because weights are lifted off their shoulders and they can start to see a way to grow easier.

Is there any one event/moment that helped you move from starting your own business to making a living with your own business?
I couldn’t possibly name just one event/moment. It is all the little things – the happy reviews and thank yous from clients, the references those happy clients share and thus gaining the confidence in myself to grow.

If you could give a new freelance workers/entrepreneurs one piece of advice, what would it be?
Believe in yourself! It can be hard to get knocked back when working for yourself, and when work is slow-coming you can start to worry about providing for yourself. If you keep at it and believe in yourself and the goals you have set yourself then you will go far.

If you could do one thing differently in your career, what would it be?
I would have started earlier and taken risks a little earlier than I did. I spent years wasting time wondering what to do with my life, swearing I wouldn’t be a receptionist or customer care worker. Yet I love my life now and the work I do.

What’s your favorite kind of work? Why?
I love the content creation (for blogs and newsletters). Each new article is different, each needing their own research which then opens my mind to more. It is a constant learning curve and I love to learn!

What does your work space/office look like?
I work from an alcove in my living. I have a simple desk with plenty of files and folders filled with necessary information. I also have images of my kids and a photo frame we gave my Grandad just before he died (as a memory).

What does your work day look like?
I spend about 30 minutes at 7 a.m. working through messages and emails. Then I don’t actually start until about 10 a.m., once the kids are at school. I will have a to do list each week with the tasks I need to complete and I will work my way through them ticking them off one at a time. I break at 3 p.m. until between 4-6 p.m. (depending on the day) before I start work again in the evening. I try to finish around 8-9 p.m. so I can sit and study for my degree. Three times a week I take a break to go to the gym and clear my mind – it helps keep me motivated.

What’s your go-to snack when you need one?
CHOCOLATE! I always have some sort of chocolate in the house that I nibble on when I work. I occasionally try to be healthy and eat crackers instead. Chocolate tends to win though.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
There will always be people out there who claim to do your work cheaper, or just do the same as you – DON’T let them get to you. A phrase I learnt last year was ‘People Buy People,’ and that is very true. As long as you stay true to yourself and be respectable at all times to people then no matter what others do, or how cheap they do it you will win the business. Never undercut yourself to beat them, just stay true to you.

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You can connect with Shari online here:

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharisant/
Website: www.RedRite.co.uk