Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mary Brimer, Founder and CEO of Ginger Green Financial, located in Saunderstown, RI, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am the Founder and CEO of Ginger Green Financial, a boutique for women's personal wealth needs. I work with self-motivated, independent GenX women and entrepreneurs who want to learn how to strengthen their relationship with money so they can have more freedom, choice, and peace in their lives.
Tell us about yourself
I knew that a career in insurance and financial sales would afford me the opportunity to earn what I am worth without caps. I am motivated every day to be in business for myself because I value the freedom that comes with entrepreneurship.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My single biggest accomplishment was sending my daughter to college and watching her complete a 4-year degree in 3 years without having to finance a single penny to do so.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I am a recovering people pleaser. The most successful people I know are those willing to say "no" early and often. People will consume our time and energy all day long if we allow them to.
Every day provides multiple opportunities to disappoint others gracefully while honoring our own priorities and self-needs.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Figure out the value of an hour of your time and delegate EVERYTHING that can be outsourced for less to someone else. You want to be working "on" your business more hours than you spend working "in" your business.
- Raise your rates. Being priced competitively attracts a lot of tire kickers and wastes your precious time. Price yourself into a niche market. Raise your rates as often as a landlord raises rents. Don't ever give away your product or service.
- You have to take your business finances seriously. Surround yourself with banking, insurance, tax and legal professionals. You need to understand how self-employment will affect your ability to borrow. Make it your goal to always be in a creditworthy position with the bank. Real businesses make increasing profits and pay increasing taxes year over year. Aim to be a real business, not a hobby.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Women who have their own money have more choices and louder voices at the table. GenX females received some pretty toxic, mixed-money-messaging from our parents and teachers. GenX is resourceful and, in the next decade, will control the majority of wealth in America. Time invested is always more powerful than the dollars you actually invest. The time to get your money mindset right - is now.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: http://www.gingergreenfinancial.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gingergreen_financial/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GingerGreen_GGF
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marybrimer/
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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