Interested in starting your entrepreneurial journey in freelancing, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sandra Reimer, founder of CoLabourNation, an experienced freelance writer and editor based in Canada.
Tell us all about your business...
CoLabourNation helps freelance Canadian marketing and communication professionals collaborate to multiply their impact and income to provide complete solutions for clients.
What's your background and motivation to grow as a solopreneur?
In June 2004, my employer downsized me from a job I loved as a Community Relations Coordinator. By August, I recovered from the shock of losing my job after 9.5 years and began freelancing as a writer and editor. I wrote newsletters, fundraising letters, and funding proposals. At first, I also did the layout for my newsletters; it wasn’t pretty. However, my freelance business was transformed when I met a talented graphic designer working on an industrial company’s employee newsletter. I began collaborating with her on all my print communication. Our results were outstanding as we focused on our strengths. She enhanced my compelling content with her beautiful design.
Over the years, I continued to expand my services and income by collaborating with web designers, graphic designers, photographers, and other freelance professionals. Believing that other freelancers could benefit from the power of collaborating in teams of experts, I launched CoLabourNation in August 2020.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As a writer, my biggest accomplishment is helping world-changing businesses and non-profits tell their stories. I get to help visionaries multiply their impact by spreading the word about their products and services. For example, my fundraising letters have helped charities raise hundreds of thousands of dollars.
As the leader of an online community for freelance professionals, my greatest joy is helping freelancers connect with partners and finding well-paid work doing what they love.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a solopreneur?
Even when you’re busy, you must proactively think about where the next client or project is coming from. You also have to persist through down days, failure, and negativity from others.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a small business today?
- Find a problem that you care about, and customers will pay you to solve. Don’t waste time developing products or services that no one needs.
- Talk to potential customers before and while you develop products and services. Their insight will change what you create.
- Hire or trade services with experts to do what you’re not good at. Don’t struggle to produce mediocre results.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Building a business is exhilarating! There is nothing like getting paid to create things that make a difference in people's lives.
Where can people find you?
Website: https://colabornation.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smreimer/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.