Communicate Complex Simply

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sheeva Azma, owner of Fancy Comma, LLC, located in Oklahoma City, OK, USA.

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

Fancy Comma, LLC is a boutique digital and strategic science communications company. We communicate the complex simply via messaging, strategy, and research in the areas of science, technology, health, business, policy, and finance. Our customers include anyone from lawmakers to scientists to Fortune 500 companies who require impactful, accessible communications, whether in the form of blog articles, social media posts, or other digital media. When it comes to communications, we do it all for our clients.

Tell us about yourself

I started freelancing in the summer of 2013. That's when I graduated from Georgetown with my Master's in Neuroscience and was applying to federal government jobs as a newly-minted scientist, moonlighting as a freelance science writer to pay the bills. I had no idea that my work as a freelancer would remain a constant in my life, nor that I would love science communication so much. I am motivated every day to help the world live better through improved science literacy, whether through my work as a science writer or by training my fellow scientists in effective science communication (SciComm), which I also do.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

After spending ten years in academic science research, it sometimes feels weird to say that I am a small business owner. Starting Fancy Comma, LLC remains a huge accomplishment for me - as of writing this, we are coming up on celebrating our third year in business. It's amazing how many skills from being a scientist transfer well to running a small business.

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

The hardest thing about being a business owner is that you can't take your success for granted because things are always changing. It's important to be nimble and flexible, putting in consistent work over time to fulfill a big (and sometimes changing) vision in tiny steps.

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

1. Start small. Don't do too much at once.
2. Network, network, network...with people in your field, other small business owners in general, and anyone that has something interesting to say.
3. Learn new skills and remain adaptable.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://fancycomma.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancycommaLLC/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancycomma/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fancycomma
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fancycomma

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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