Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jenni Gritters, a Freelance Writer & Business Coach based in Bend, OR, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a business coach for freelance creatives, and I also do some freelance writing myself. Most of my coaching clients are freelancers who are looking to level up in their businesses. They want to make more money, find a more sustainable work pace, create an authentic marketing strategy, and better navigate client challenges, among other things. I also write blogs, articles, and guides related to psychology, parenting, and purchasing.
Tell us about yourself
I first started working for myself in 2018 after being laid off from the New York Times. I wanted to build a business that I could trust, one that would support me through different phases of my life and provide the lifestyle I desired. Once I had kids (my daughter is now 7 months old, and my son is 3), this became even more important. As a trained journalist, I know how tough it can be to work in an industry that just doesn't serve you. And I love helping people build businesses that feel like freedom, especially during seasons of life where you're dealing with many constraints.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I launched my own freelance writing and editing business in 2018 and doubled my full-time job salary within a year. I am so proud of all that hard work and strategic planning! But I'm equal. Proud of my current setup, which has me working three days/a week while spending a lot of time with my kids. (And I still make 6 figures!)
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Being a business owner can be really lonely. You don't have the built-in community (or water cooler chat!) of a full-time job. It makes intentionality and effort to find a community and contribute to it, especially if you're working from home. And that isolation can cause worries and anxieties to balloon, too. I've learned over the past 5 years that I'll always feel better after an interaction with my fellow freelancers, even if it's virtual.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- First, make a business plan before you dive in. That might seem simple, but many freelancers these days are kicked into this work arena after a layoff, so they don't make an intentional plan. And you can't get to where you want to go without *knowing* where you want to go!
- Second, find community. You don't have to build a business alone, and having people around you who understand the complicated nature of entrepreneurship can do wonders for your mental health.
- Third, this is a marathon, not a sprint. Learning how to work at a sustainable pace will mean that you can work for yourself for a long time. If you sprint right out of the gate, you'll burn out. YOU are the most important resource in your business -- your brain, your energy, and your intentionality matter more than anything else. Protect that.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://jennigritters.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennigritters/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenni_gritters
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenni-gritters-a4837329/
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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