Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Elspeth Chalmers, writer, and editor based in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a writer and editor. I help people write the book they've always dreamed of writing.
Tell us about yourself
I started writing—short stories and diary entries—at age 8. That passion led me to pursue an MA in French Literature, as I fell for classic French novelists. Along the way, I wrote many blogs (long since extinct) about my life. It wasn't until I was a graduate student that I landed a gig as a fashion blogger. Writing for someone else was the kick I needed, and I started to pursue it at every turn. I'd edit essays, write for the local paper, and offer to write anything I could in my day job as a Marketing Executive. I put my profile online on a whim in 2020 and began working with all sorts of people and businesses. There was one type of customer that I seemed to vibe with time and again—that's when I realized my calling was to help people accomplish the herculean task of writing their book. I'm intrinsically motivated to write—I can't go more than a day without it—but it's the immense joy I see on my client's faces and the impact that their book has on their life that motivates me to keep going each day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I worked with someone who had overcome incredible adversity to become a successful realtor. She wanted to share her tips for first-time buyers in a book and had written some, but after years couldn't finish her project. I stepped in and helped her achieve her goal of writing a book, one that became so much more than just a guide. The result was a touching personal account of how her passion for real estate began in tough times in her childhood (!) and the lessons she's learned about navigating the emotional journey of buying a home.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
I'm a writer first, so I often have to remind myself to focus on the business side of things. I can get caught up in an exciting project and forget to reply to messages or keep track of who I need to contact again. Besides managing myself, I often worry about my bottom line. It's important that my work is worth it financially as well as emotionally—which is something I need to remind myself about on occasion!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Start now! Don't wait another second.
- Make mistakes and learn from them. Fail forward to grow.
- Don't forget to allow yourself time to take care of yourself. When you feel good, you do good work.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://elspethchalmers.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elspeth.anne/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elspethchalmers/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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