Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business solutions but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Melanie Battistelli, Founder of Duxbury Digital, located in Ashburn, VA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am an online business manager and a certified course and launch strategist. I offer three main services to my clients! I usually take on one to two retainer clients at a time, meaning I work deeply in their business, manage their teams, strategize with them, and help to plan every aspect of their business. I also offer launch services and hiring services where I plan their course launches or hire long-term team members. I also have a mini-course, "Power Hour Planning," that takes business owners through the strategic planning process.
Tell us about yourself
I am a former high school history teacher. When I became pregnant with my second daughter during covid, I decided I wanted a little bit more flexibility in my life and started looking for other ways I could spend more time with my kids and not be out of the house from 8:30 AM - 5 PM every day. I think that what I am doing with launch management and business planning is a perfect complement to what I did as a teacher because that also involved so much backward planning.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is fully transitioning to being a full-time business owner. It took me some time to make that jump. I was running my own business and teaching full-time... then I dropped down to part-time teaching before finally deciding to leave. Really deciding to "just do it!" is my biggest accomplishment as a business owner. Although this is my third full year in business, I have only been doing this "full-time" for 7 months without also teaching.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things about being a business owner is knowing your capacity. For me, it's so easy to bite off more than I can chew and become overwhelmed with my client's work. It's finding the right balance that works for you and your life and goals.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Take messy action. If you spend too long planning and thinking about it, you'll never do it.
- By the same token, HAVE a plan. If you are just planning day to day, with no real agenda of trajectory, you might be wasting your time.
- Outsource as soon as you can! Figure out what is NOT your strong suit, and pass that along as soon as possible.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://duxburydigital.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Duxburydigital/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duxburydigital/
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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