Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Heather Doering, President, and Owner of ACE Strategies, located in Plymouth, MI, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
ACE Strategies Amplifies business, Connects clients to prospects, and Empowers small businesses to grow and scale successfully. We eliminate the frustration that comes with social media and marketing. We serve 3 groups: DIY folks who just need some support, training, and advice. B2B solopreneurs who serve as coaches and consultants and aren't sure how to build a strong personal brand or rich relationships with prospects and larger small businesses that need strategic guidance and some tactical support.
Tell us about yourself
I started ACE in 2013, right about when social media was upending traditional marketing. Small business owners were at a loss, unsure of what to do, what to shift, or how to make a splash on social media. A lot has changed in the last 10 years! Today, digital is the heartbeat of most companies. Technology changes second by second. Knowing where to focus resources, what to say, and, most importantly, what will engage your ideal audience is more challenging than ever.
We LOVE referrals. In fact, 95% of our business comes from them. When we get a referral, it reflects our team's incredible dedication and talent and the trust that others put in us. We appreciate the deep relationships we form with clients. We are committed to transparency, fair pricing, and quality work. I wake up every day and remind myself that serving my family, clients, and community is a blessing. Life is short, and the ACE team is grateful that we can help ease the marketing burden while living our best lives.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is impacting the lives of the women on my team. Most of us are moms who want rewarding work that doesn't impede what's most important: our families. When I hired my first employee almost 5 years ago, I realized that my success or failure impacted me, her, and her family. There were days when I wanted to throw in the towel there were times when I paid my team and not myself. It's no longer about me but rather about growing and building something amazing together that positively impacts our team, their families, and our communities.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
For me, it has been being the only person who can do it all. I did an exercise earlier this year and realized that, after a concerted effort to offload day-to-day tasks and client responsibilities, I was STILL touching 80% of everything! That is not how real companies operate. While I love the work, the conversations, and the ability to serve clients, I'm the biggest obstacle to growth.
It's impossible to do it all. The more a business grows, the less the owner should focus on the daily grind. When you're reaching capacity, figure out what you're really good at and love to do and determine the things that only you can do. Focus on those and offload the stuff you hate and/or aren't good at. It makes for a healthier business and a happier you!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be laser-focused on who and how you help. It seems counter-intuitive to drastically narrow in on a niche, but it's impossible to be the solution for the world. Your message will be diluted and simply serve as noise in a very loud world.
- Surround yourself with people who excel at things you don't. I work with several coaches, have assembled a crack team of mentors who have my best interest at heart, and serve as a mentor to others, often leading to innovation and inspiration.
- Know your why. It guides your actions and choices, inspires you during tough seasons, and it's the heartbeat of your company.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.kickacestrategies.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kickacestrategies
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ace-strategies/
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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