Changing jobs is always stressful, but leaving your full time job to launch your own business? That takes stress to a whole new level, but that’s what Jamie McCoy did when she started WanderRoot – a handmade paper company that’s expanded to include a variety of handmade creations. Jamie’s learned some things over the years, and she was kind enough to share her story with us.

Welcome! Please tell us about your business. 
My business is called WanderRoot, and I make and sell handmade plantable seed paper products such as wedding place cards, gift tags, and greeting cards as well as seed bombs, hand embroidery, paintings, illustration prints, copper jewelry and ornaments, and more. I’m crafty!

I started with selling my photography on Etsy in 2009 after a friend urged me to do so. It was a side project for a long time while I worked in social work, and became a full time job later almost by accident after getting laid off.

What has been your biggest struggle in launching your business?
I think for me, launching wasn’t a struggle at all, but maintaining was more difficult. I’ve struggled with maintaining normal life stuff like relationships and a savings account, as well as business related things like consistent order flow and inventory.

How are you overcoming that obstacle?
I’ve recently picked up a part time job to supplement my income and to help me meet people and to help me continue to be social. I’m now focusing on selling in-stock items only as opposed to custom wedding orders, which became complicated and difficult to maintain.

What’s surprised you the most about working for yourself?
I was raised as an only child, so I have always been independently motivated; however, I didn’t realize how satisfying having only myself to rely upon would be. When you do well, that’s a huge sense of accomplishment.

What’s your favorite part of this kind of work?
I love the flexibility. It’s so nice to be able to set my own schedule and work when I want. I also like coming up with new crafting ideas and implementing them.

Is there any one event/moment that helped you move from starting your own business to making a living with your own business?
I honestly quit my full time job on a whim, without any planning at all. I’d been selling my arts and crafts online and at craft shows on the side for a number of years while continuing to work in social work, but I wasn’t happy at my full time job. It was stressful, and while I am a compassionate person, I don’t excel at compartmentalizing in the way necessary to work in social work. While I was good with my clients, I became not-good at real life and carried a lot of stress with me. So when my employer changed my job title and description to something I was no longer qualified to do, I took the opportunity to move on to a new career.

If you could give a new entrepreneur one piece of advice, what would it be?
Plan ahead for money. Work load may vary, and if you don’t have a plan in place for how you will financially sustain yourself during these times, you will not be able to maintain your small business. Unless you have a financer, you will need to have this taken care of yourself, preferably before the drought in work hits.

If you could do one thing differently in your career, what would it be?
Similar to my previous answer, I’d have planned better for slow periods financially. The first year or more will be a struggle unless you have a plan in place. I also recommend diversifying your income streams as much as possible.

If you’re crafty like me, Etsy is a great jumping off point, but it’s not meant to sustain your entire business forever, so build your own website, sell at local businesses, other websites, and at craft shows. Get your name in as many places as possible. That way, if one income stream is negatively impacted by a set back of some kind, you will still have an income coming from somewhere.

I would have started with a savings of several thousand dollars before I even considered selling my arts and crafts full time. I’d also have set up my stand-alone site sooner and funneled my returning customers from Etsy to my website to reduce overhead costs.

What’s your favorite kind of work? Why?
I like painting. It’s a lot if fun to have an image in mind and find a way to bring it to reality. It’s very fulfilling.

What does your work space look like?
I work out of a spare bedroom in my home. It has a ton of shelving units for storage, a closet full of displays and tents for craft shows, and fold up tables that hold my current projects. It also houses a cat tree for my furry office mates, Chibi and Gordon.

What does your work day look like?
If I am not working at my part time job, I am working on my business. I get up in the morning and go to the coffee shop to do any website or internet work that is necessary. Then I run my personal errands before coming home and making a to-do list of projects to work on. Before bed, I package any orders that need to be shipped, then ship these first thing the following morning.

What’s your go-to snack when you need one?
Chocolate covered peanuts or chocolate covered espresso beans.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Check out my offerings at www.davitasrg.com and use coupon code “karinbeery” at checkout to save 15% on anything!  And take a chance in yourself. Even if you fail, you learned something. Life is too short to stay in a job that isn’t right for you.

Are you feeling trapped in your current job? You’re in luck! Today I’m talking with Linda Enoh, exit-strategy coach and travel coach! This busy mom and entrepreneur wants to help other women like herself step into the careers they’ve been dreaming of.

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.
In my coaching business I help high-achieving and ambitious corporate women plan their exit strategy from their day jobs. I started in January of 2017 based on my own experience and the fact that so many women who had worked very hard to get where they are in their corporate career feel like there’s no way out for them.

What has been your biggest struggle in launching your business/career?
The biggest struggle was my messaging. I knew in my head what I wanted to do and how I wanted to help, but translating that into coherent words that would make sense to my ideal client was a hurdle that I had to overcome.

How did/are you overcoming it?
I sought help from other coaches who knew exactly how to do that. I’m a strong believer in learning so it has always been very important for me to educate myself to better myself. Whether it’s something I can quickly learn on my own or a paid program where I’d learn from someone who’s been through what I’m going through.

What’s surprised you the most about working for yourself?
That freedom is a double-edge sword: yes you have more time to yourself, but you also have to know how to use that time wisely!

What’s your favorite part of this kind of work?
The breakthrough that my clients get when they realize that they can actually turn their dreams into reality.

Is there any one event/moment that helped you move from starting your own business to making a living with your own business?
Once I stopped looking at what everyone else was doing and focused on what I was good at and enjoyed doing. I don’t have to spend time trying to learn things that I don’t enjoy doing, instead I have to focus on my zone of genius, which in the end benefits both my clients and me.

If you could give a new entrepreneurs one piece of advice, what would it be?
Choose a business model that works for you, and stay in your own lane. You don’t have to do it exactly how others have done it. If you want your business model to focus on 1-on-1 coaching, do that. If you want an evergreen group course model, do that. You get to choose, it’s your business after all!

If you could do one thing differently in your career, what would it be?
In my business, I would start promoting a lot sooner. I felt like I wasn’t ready because I had left the validation that you get in corporate (you get that validation by getting hired), and had to “seek” for a new one in the entrepreneurial world.

What’s your favorite kind of work? Why?
The PhD in me loves to work complex scenarios with short deadlines. This is why I love to work with women with big, bold, scary goals that may sound impossible or even ridiculous to the average person. I love the challenge and, of course, the satisfaction that you get once you accomplished you goal.

What does your work space/office look like?
Both my husband and I work from home. We have a pretty cool T-shape set up for both of our desks, where I get to face the window (I must have natural light for inspiration). I chose white desks for a clean and professional look, while our black bookshelves are full of business, travel and Christian books.

What does your work day look like?
When I have to meet a strong deadline, I make sure to wake up around 6 am before everyone else to work on the most important tasks of my day. Then I help my husband get the toddler boys ready for daycare or I feed the twin baby girls. Yes, that’s 4 kids under 4! The rest of my day is pretty much dictated by the twins’ nap schedule: I can work 1 or 2 hours on social media, outreach, content creation, research and so on. Once the boys come back at 4 pm, I’m pretty much done working for the day. I can listen to a podcast or a FB Live replay while I cook or clean up, but that’s pretty much it. For the rest of the day I spend quality time with my husband watching some TV shows or sports, before I prepare for the next day: from writing my to-do-list to selecting school clothes for the kids.

What’s your go-to snack when you need one?
Uh-uh. This is not something I’m very proud about, but as someone who grew up on a Mediterranean diet, I have to say that bread is my go-to snack. A close second, and much better option, is fruits. 🙂

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I would say that if you’re waiting for the “perfect” time to start your business, listen to this: NOW IS THE TIME. It takes time to grow a successful business, that’s why you have to start as soon as possible. At the end of the day, remember that the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be able to leave your unfulfilling job!

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

—

Connect with Linda online at:
http://www.lindaenoh.com/
https://www.facebook.com/lindaenohcoaching/
http://www.tokende.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Tokende/

Having a passion for a business is not enough to launch a successful career. It takes careful planning and some strategy, as author and editor Katie Morford Phillips found out for herself. Taking time to strategize and “pick a lane,” however, is paying off. Here’s how Katie is making her business work.

Tell us about your business. What do you do, when did you start your own business, and why?
I’m an author, freelance fiction editor, and writing coach. I specialize in content edits of soft speculative fiction and helping women authors tell their stories with clarity and confidence.

I started my writing and editing career in journalism, working for a newspaper before serving as a communications manager, writer, and editor for a global non-profit. A little over four years ago, myself and three other women launched Crosshair Press, an indie publisher of fiction adventure stories that ask life’s tough questions. I edited nearly all of the Crosshair Press titles and started taking on other side projects as well.

In July 2016, I launched my own freelance editing business. I wanted the freedom to simultaneously help other women writers, while making a living working remotely. Looking to the future, I wanted a career opportunity that would let me pursue my passion and help out my family financially, while still staying at home with kids. 

What has been your biggest struggle in launching your business/career?
I think my biggest struggle is two-fold, yet related. Like any other entrepreneur, my biggest challenge has been gaining visibility and connecting with the right clients. To overcome this challenge, I needed to identify 1) What makes me/my services unique? And 2) Who is my ideal client.

Finding the answers to those questions proved more of a struggle than I anticipated. It forced me to narrow my vision, get very specific about what I like (and don’t like) to do, embrace my giftings, identify the type of person I want to work with, and let go of areas I felt I should enjoy, but don’t.

For example, most editors (in the colloquial sense) are line and copy editors. They love grammar, get giddy over their copy of the Chicago Manual of Style, and obsess over comma placement. For a long time, I felt insecure as an editor because that wasn’t me. At all. Yet, when an author has a knotty character problem, a messy middle to their story, or flat worldbuilding, I’m their woman. Many editors don’t like to interact with clients on a personal level. I love to chat with my clients and help them through every stage of the process, from the initial consult and coaching sessions, to final edits and revisions.

Embracing who I am as an editor—and who I’m not—was the first step to finding my niche and identifying the right clients. 

How did/are you overcoming it?
I think the problem of visibility and connecting with the right clients will probably continue to be a struggle. But researching business models, and getting to know my preferences, strengths, and weaknesses, has gone a long way to give me clarity about who am I as an editor and what I can offer my client. 

What’s surprised you the most about working for yourself?
How much I love it. I’ve discovered my passion, and there’s no going back. It’s hard, don’t get me wrong. I’ve shed many of tear of frustration and discouragement. Yet, there’s nothing like pursuing your passion, seeing a plan come together, and hearing your clients say, “This is what you were born to do.” 

What’s your favorite part of this kind of work?
The moment when a concept clicks for a client; when I can listen to their struggles, offer a practical solution, and see hope and inspiration light up in their eyes. I love helping authors move past their own roadblocks and tell the stories they were meant to tell, whether that’s through writing and branding coaching sessions, or an in-depth content edit. There’s nothing quite so fulfilling as seeing a fellow writer’s passion for their story and characters return to their eyes after a frustrating, discouraging stretch of trying to figure it out on their own. 

Is there any one event/moment that helped you move from starting your own business to making a living with your business?
Early this year, I offered a special of majorly-discounted manuscript consults in hopes of gaining my first few clients. It’s a gamble that’s definitely paid off in the long run. I soon discovered that if I could get authors to take a chance on me, and give me the opportunity to help them, those initial connections would become great future clients. I actually just signed a manuscript content edit agreement with my very first manuscript consult client. 

If you could give new freelance workers/entrepreneurs one piece of advice, what would it be?
Know yourself, and know your business. There are so many fabulous free resources on branding and business. Educate yourself about your chosen field and ask people in that field about their greatest felt needs. Pare down your various interests and “pick a lane” to focus on, at least until you establish your business. It’s easier to become known as the expert or go-to person in one particular area. A successful business is where your passion meets your clients’ needs.

 If you could do one thing differently in your career, what would it be?
More organization, and less overwhelm. Greater clarity and focus on where my passions and income streams intersect, and less running around like a chicken with its head cut off. The paperwork and admin side of business is not my strong point, and it’s a constant struggle to keep the wheels turning properly. 

What’s your favorite kind of work? Why?
I love my writing and branding coaching sessions. It gives me the opportunity to connect personally with authors, hear their stories, and help set them on a path to success. 

What does your work space/office look like?
It alternates between my tiny studio apartment and the most convenient local coffee shop. Someday I will have my own office with bookshelves, a window seat, and a view.

What’s your go-to snack when you need one?
In the past, my editing snack was Starbursts. Currently, I’m obsessed with anything dark chocolate salted caramel. 

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
The life of a creative entrepreneur is not an easy road, and it’s certainly not for everyone. Some people just want to enjoy their passion without the limitations of business. Others are interested in making money working remotely, but lack the passion to sustain them through the lean times. But for the determined few, the life of a creative entrepreneur can be a personally and financially rewarding journey.

You can find Katie online at:
Website: www.storyforhisglory.com
Twitter: @AuthKarisWaters
Facebook: Facebook.com/Create.explore.illuminate

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/

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.