Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in freelancing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jefferey Spivey, creator of Uptown Bourgeois, located in Urbandale, IA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a solopreneur. Primarily, I offer a mix of content writing and editing services. I'm most passionate about helping underrepresented founders and authors find their voices and elevate their output.
Tell us about yourself
I'm a classically trained journalist and originally had every intention to go into print or broadcast journalism, but I was discouraged by the industry politics and low pay. I started freelancing almost seven years ago on a whim. I wanted to write because storytelling has been a passion of mine, but I wanted to sidestep all the gatekeeping of the big publications. I joined Fiverr in 2015 and have since expanded to other freelance marketplaces and to a business model where I have a roster of independent clients. Beyond my business, I'm a fiction writer. I've had six short stories accepted for publication in 2022, my unpublished book is a finalist for the Iron Horse Literary Review Book Prize, and I won two grants in 2022 - one for writing and one for my business.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
With all the economic upheaval of the last few years, I feel fortunate that I'm still able to work independently, free of a boss or a corporate employer. Just surviving feels like an accomplishment. But in the last year, I've been able to work with some high-profile clients and book more challenging and impactful jobs. Winning two grants in a single year has also been awesome. It's great to see that there are organizations out there willing to support solopreneurs and writers and that they aren't only looking to fund high-growth tech startups. I'm really encouraged by the opportunities I continue to see emerging.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Striving for balance is the hardest thing. I work from home, so technically, I never leave my workplace. There's always another email to check or another task that can be tackled quickly. I have to put firm boundaries in place to protect myself psychologically; otherwise, I'll work all day and all night.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
If you're looking to get into the business I'm in - content creation and editing on your own - I'd say:
- Have some kind of financial nest egg for the hard times.
- Start out with a niche because it's easier to build expertise and brand yourself.
- Be honest about what you can't do on your own. If you don't know how to design a website, pay someone to do it. If you need an SEO expert or a researcher, find them and hire them. There's a tendency to want to do every single thing yourself, but sometimes it's more efficient to focus on your skillset and get help for the other duties.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.jeffereyspivey.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jefferey.spivey
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jeffereyspivey
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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