Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cheryl Botas, founder of Create Communications, located in Halifax, NS, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I own and operate Create Communications, a Strategic Communications & Copywriting company. I have a degree in Public Relations and 15 years of experience in the corporate field. I left my role in the corporate in 2020 to pursue my own business.
I felt pigeonholed in my corporate positions and wanted to experience more creative freedoms and work 1:1 with small business owners. When you work 1:1, you can really get to know and care about someone - helping them achieve their dreams becomes just as important to you as it is to them.
I target small business owners for many reasons, but the most notable being that they're often the most dedicated, passionate, and creative people you can share space with. They're also the backbone of the community and deserve just as much attention as corporate giants. I specialize in helping small business owners connect with the right people, communicate their worth (through the story) and realize their unique selling points to position them as the expert in their field.
Tell us about yourself
Writing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I've always been creatively driven and more interested in understanding things from a storytelling point of view than a static corporate one. I enjoy all sorts of communication work and thoroughly enjoyed my time in university as a PR and Marketing student. However, after spending many years working in corporate communications, it became apparent to me that it didn't satisfy my creative aspirations.
Opening my own business was scary, but it was also freeing in ways I never imagined. I have become more in tune with myself as a person (and as a professional) since having the creative freedom to go out on my own. It helped me realize how much of myself I was leaving behind every day when I went to work.
What inspires me on a daily basis and keeps me motivated are my clients. They are absolutely the BEST people to work with. They bring passion to everything they do and are fiercely driven - helping them achieve their goals is one of my greatest honors.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Being able to start and grow a successful business during a pandemic while raising a small child. To say it takes hard work is an understatement, but my commitment to success has always been a guiding force in my life. If I do something, I go all the way!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The isolation. I thrive on social interactions and brainstorming with like-minded professionals, so leaving a busy corporate office to work alone out of my house was quite a difficult transition. Luckily, I'm a resourceful person and joined several virtual small business communities and was able to form wonderful friendships, many of which turned into collaborations. You might feel alone as a business owner, but you're not. There are so many great networks, workshops, and programs out there to be a part of - and that for me has been a huge saving grace.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Lead from your 'why.'
- Network and find your people.
- Don't compare yourself to others - your own gifts will always be what make you special.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://createcoms.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createcommunications.ca
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createcommunications/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.