Gillian Edwards Online Business Manager

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Gillian Edwards, Owner of Gillian Edwards Online Business Manager (OBM), located in Oakville, ON, Canada.

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

As an Online Business Manager or OBM, I partner with Entrepreneurs and SMBs to get them out of the weeds and focus on what they got into business for in the first place.

My clients get to re-focus on what they are passionate about in their business with the confidence that I am sweating the details. They didn't create their business to be consumed by it. I streamline and automate businesses through technology, process, team building & team management to give business owners back the time to focus on their growth. I use my over 20 years of experience in Marketing and Operations Management to serve my clients with passion.

Tell us about yourself

I had worked for over 20 years for an advertising/marketing firm that didn't survive the pandemic. I was faced with a big decision. Deciding not to pursue another role working for someone else and becoming a Certified Online Business Manager (OBM) was the most important decision I have made. I wanted to dedicate my time and use my over 20 years of experience in Advertising, Marketing, and Business Operations, to help Entrepreneurs achieve the growth they desire.

The freedom that comes with running my own business was also very attractive to me. I'm motivated each day, not only for my own goals but helping my clients achieve their goals. I get so much satisfaction from really making a difference for an Entrepreneur or small business.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I would say having the confidence to jump in and start. That was originally a big mindset block for me, having been an employee for most of my career.

My biggest accomplishment for a client so far:
I was asked by a client to set up an online product training portal. They had been looking into technologies to host the portal and were expecting it could cost upwards of $10k just for that part of the project. I was able to source a software solution for the bargain price of $100 for the first year! The total budget for software and content build-out with marketing automation came in at less than 50% of just the original software cost. Needless to say, the client was thrilled.

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

Balancing the time to work on my own business with working on my client's businesses. I have a tendency to prioritize client work, and then I have a lot of catching up to do on my own business. Time to hire, I think!

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

Lean on your strengths.
Outsource things you don't know - you will waste valuable time trying to do it yourself.
Network, Network, Network!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://gillianedwards.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GillianEdwardsOBM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillianedwardsobm/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-edwards/

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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