Simplifying Modern Motherhood - Find Your Gold Organizing
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mary Ann Ker, Owner of Find Your Gold Organizing, located in Belleville, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We offer virtual and in-home organizing for families who are ready to feel less overwhelmed.
Tell us about yourself
I started my career working in a variety of administrative roles for municipalities and government agencies, which lasted for nearly two decades. After returning to work after our second child, I was beyond burnt out. At the same time, I started to expand on my passion for home organization by offering professional home organizing services.
Having two kids under two forced me to be extremely organized - and the more our family started to see the benefits of living with less, the more I wanted to share that with other families struggling to maintain an organized, functional and peaceful home.
Over the course of several months, I made the decision to leave my job and offer in-home organizing full-time and created a plan to do so. Right from the start, the demand for our services far exceeded my expectations, and I fell even more in love with what we do. I not only love my work, but I now have so much more flexibility and freedom in my schedule, which has given me more time with my kids and an opportunity to soak in these early years with them.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is simply taking the plunge! Leaving a full-time government job to operate a business full-time is a huge decision and requires a lot of courage. Moving away from what I’ve always known and a job I was comfortable with wasn’t easy. The move also didn’t make sense to a lot of other people, which created a major internal struggle for me. However, I followed what I knew was the right move for me - and in my first year of business, I tripled my projected sales! It wasn’t long after that that I knew I’d made the right decision.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest parts for me is feeling alone. Working in an office environment for many years, I was always surrounded by coworkers. There are days now that I work completely solo. This can be especially tough on hard days when there are difficult decisions to be made, and it’s up to me to make those on my own.
To combat the loneliness, I’ve worked hard to create an amazing team - which has been a game-changer. Working alongside other organizers has made me love my work even more. I’ve also hired coaches and joined as many group sessions as possible to remind myself that I’m not alone, but part of a huge network of other business owners, just like me.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don’t Wait until you’re Fully Ready:
The initial kick-off was absolutely the hardest part, and I felt FAR from ready. The same goes with every new challenge and stage of my business - I continue to change, grow and level up - and every single time, I never feel completely ready for the next step. But I do it anyway, over and over again. - Keep Moving Forward:
In moments when you don’t know exactly what step to take next or you feel stuck, just keep moving forward. Even if it’s the tiniest move, each day, just keep learning more, making mistakes, and moving forward. - Listen to that Little Voice:
There is a good chance that you are operating your business because you felt called to do it. Something inside you knew that this was the right fit for you. As you continue to grow, trust that voice!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.findyourgold.ca/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Yaddrk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/find_yourgold/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mawalmsley/
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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