Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Heidi Schmidt, Owner of Heidi Schmidt Creative, located in Pasadena, MD, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I own Heidi Schmidt Creative, a boutique social media agency. I work with small - mid-sized businesses and solopreneurs to craft social media strategies and offer done-for-you social media management and content marketing services such as email marketing and blogging services also.
Tell us about yourself
I've been working in marketing since 2007, when I worked as a communications assistant for a nonprofit. Over the past 15 years, I worked in both agency and in-house marketing roles working with larger tech companies down to smaller local businesses. In 2020, my role as marketing director was eliminated, and with a first grader who was embarking on virtual learning, I decided to dive in and see if I could just work for myself. My first project work was signed on about a month after I set up my LLC and my first retainer client a month after that. I love helping businesses be thoughtful and intentional about their online presence and the results you can see when your business is a little more strategic about how and what you post online.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Still being here! Who knew that 3 years later, I would still be in business? Once upon a time, back in 2008, I tried freelancing, and I just didn't have the confidence at the time to be successful with it, so I went back to full-time work pretty quickly. But now, each year I've grown, I now have one content creator working with me and am about to hire another. It's exciting to be at a stage where you can grow!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Starting as a freelancer has been hard, most of the work is on me, so when I go out of town or take time off, it's all me that has to make sure client content is created or scheduled. There's not always the balance that you want in the "work-life balance" realm.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Just start! If you have an idea, just start.
- Don't compare yourself to others - the comparison trap is ugly and hard to shake, and it's only going to drag you down. No one else has your voice; no one else has the same value that you bring. Your audience is different than the person down the road who may be doing the same thing. Everyone has their own value, voice, and target audience.
- Hire before you think you're ready because when you're drowning in work, you're going to realize you should have hired a month ago. Also, don't be afraid of outsourcing! You're not an expert in all the things, so hire an expert for things like bookkeeping, accounting, marketing - whatever it is that's taking time away from you working ON your business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.heidijschmidt.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeidiSchmidtCreative/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidischmidtcreative/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/legallyheidi/
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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