Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nancy Polanco, Editor of Whispered Inspirations, located in Windsor, ON, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am a lifestyle content creator and cookbook author. My cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Kids, is aimed at kids ages 8 to 12 to learn to cook their favorite dishes—and discover new ones! When I am not creating recipes or working on my next book, I work with brands and tourism boards to create authentic and genuine content to share on my social channels or theirs. I also have a website where I share recipes, tips, travel, restaurant, and lifestyle content. My customers are people with little ones learning to cook and an audience from 18 and up that are looking for lifestyle content, product, and service recommendations.

Tell us about yourself

I am a journalist who worked in the space of scriptwriting in the early years before the days of social media. I took some time off and worked in healthcare for eight years. During those years, I always kept an online weblog. When I had my second daughter and was at home, I decided to dedicate more time to my writing again. That led to creating a space to not only share my life but to help others as well. It transformed into what I refer to as the golden age of blogging or mom blogging. Where brands started understanding the influence and buying power women have. It opened up an entire world of opportunities and experiences and helped me to become the creator I am today. It also helped me to eventually leave my healthcare job and create and share what I hope is helpful content with my audience and followers. Now, well over a decade later, I have the privilege to write, develop recipes, and photograph content for my site and via my social channels full-time. To be able to share it every single day is a true pleasure. What keeps me going every day is that I truly enjoy what I do, and I have a genuine desire to help others enjoy the good things in life and find ways to live more simply. When I am not creating and editing content for Whispered Inspirations, you can find me on the Huffington Post, TODAY Parenting, and other publications.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

As a business owner, letting go of that backup job and being able to write and create content full-time was one of my biggest accomplishments. It's a blessing to do something I enjoy while providing for my family. A close second would be writing my cookbook and getting it published.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

While being a business owner provides flexibility and freedom, you quickly realize you put in a lot more hours, you give it your all, but you still answer to yourself. Along the journey, you encounter self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and many ups and downs. Success doesn't happen overnight; you need consistency to see results in any business you're in. You'll see the market and industry completely change and discover that you have to evolve, learn, and grow with it. Otherwise, you get left behind.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Believe in yourself. I know it sounds cliche, but be authentic, trust in your abilities, what you have to offer, and your unique perspective. All of this shines through, and your audience can see if you're truly genuine from a mile away.
  2. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Test new things, and try new trends, but add your take. Do this and see what resonates with your audience. Remember how I said you need to grow with your industry? Take courses, research, collaborate with colleagues and invest in your business to keep it growing.
  3. Don't be afraid to hear the word 'no,' and while we are at it, the power of saying no. Knowing your worth as a small business is important. Only you know your skills, what you offer, and the quality of your work. Charge accordingly. You will hear no, but this gives you a chance to learn, negotiate, or find an opportunity that aligns better. On the other end, taking anything and everything that comes your way doesn't help the quality of your work. I only take partnerships or exchanges that I truly am passionate about, use, or know I will use and will be able to authentically share with my audience. Taking on too much not only leads to burnout but doesn't leave room for you to give each project the attention it deserves.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://whisperedinspirations.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whisperedinspirations
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/whispersinspire/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whispersinspire
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-polanco/

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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