Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in freelancing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alice Lemée, Owner of Alice Lemée Agency, LLC., located in Brooklyn, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a freelance writer and copywriter. I primarily serve creator economy companies and influencers through content creation and long-form writing.
Tell us about yourself
I started freelancing in 2020. At the time, I was having a quarter-life crisis. I used to be in the music industry but realized it wasn't for me anymore. I'd always loved to write but had zero idea how it could be profitable unless I became the next Stephanie Meyer (which I had no plans of doing). In June, I discovered Medium, a site where you can publish your articles. It was here I discovered the world of content marketing and freelance writing, and I fell in love.
I began posting my articles there, building up a Twitter profile, and working with a freelance writing coach. Within four months, I had three retainer clients and was making a couple thousand a month. Now, I'm motivated by reclaiming my time and exploring what matters to me for a fulfilling life. I don't take on clients unless I'm genuinely interested in their projects, and I try to take a lot of time off to be outside, read, and be with people. Life is so much more expansive than the traditional narrative of school, 9-5, and retirement!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I helped a company land an additional $50k - $100K through a single case study of mine. That felt pretty amazing. But as a business owner, my biggest accomplishment has been being able to say "no" to clients unless I really love what I'm writing about. Being able to craft my workload, so it naturally fits my interest is the biggest blessing.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
There's so much difficult crap that comes with being a business owner. The taxes. The clients who ghost. The unpaid invoices. As a freelancer, every single function of your business falls on you. It's up to you to be disciplined, motivated, and want this bad enough to get through the hard parts.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't wait for permission. Ever. If you want to write copy for your favorite brand, do it. Mock up a site, get the deliverables, and pretend it's a real project. In the best-case scenario, the client sees you and chats you up. Worst case scenario, you have an amazing project to add to your portfolio. The world rewards those who take action.
- Running a business is a mental battle, above everything. Learn to be comfortable with the thoughts, "I can't do this," and "I don't know what I'm doing," and then train yourself to go, "Okay, let's keep going a little bit longer and just see what happens." You are your greatest obstacle.
- Before you start, identify your "why." It has to be something so powerful it moves you. The first time I found my "why" for my business, I was on the train heading to Manhattan and poured my soul out on my phone's Notes app. I almost cried as I wrote out my visions for the life I wanted. But that note helped me get through some tough times in the business. Isolate your why, and let it carry you through everything you do.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.alicelemee.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alicellemee
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicelemee/
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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