Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and career development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jennie O'Connor, a Creative Catalyst based in Palm Desert, CA, USA.

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

I'm a personal messaging expert who specializes in finessing dull, flabby web copy until it seduces the senses and sends 'em running for their wallets. I'm on a mission to help creators and coaches everywhere craft messaging so magnetic it borders on dangerous. I also host Multi-Passionate Like a Boss, the podcast where I help squirrel-brained entrepreneurs thrive in a world of shiny objects - now in its third season!

Tell us about yourself

I consider myself unemployable, so I understood early on that I needed to be my own boss. Being multi-passionate means I took the scenic route, from weddings and event planning to boutique catering to operating as a private chef for folks with food sensitivities. But I always knew I wanted to work with other creatives. So in 2020, I launched the messaging arm of my business to help other multi-passionates clearly articulate their genius and use their personal stories to connect to their audience. I was moved to start offering both done-for-you services and DIY courses because I saw the potential growth email offers small businesses who learn to effectively tell their stories. Getting to witness the "aha" moment during a brand identity deep-dive or having a client say they've been doing this work for years but have never achieved such clarity. These are the moments that light a fire in my belly.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I was asked to speak on the virtual stage for the Your Perfect Work Summit last year, and I presented Not Trying is Infinitely Worse than Failing, which was very well received. I'm also coming up on the 100th episode of my podcast, a milestone 75% of podcasters don't hit, and I'm a shiny object lover! That is a huge cause for celebration.

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

Wearing all the hats is the best and worst part of owning a business. If you're multi-passionate, this can really trip you up because you will try to do everything yourself and spend three weeks learning to code so you can make tweaks to your website. That isn't you working in your zone of genius, though your time is finite and should be spent where you excel. A major lesson for both my clients and me has been: Just because you can do everything doesn't mean you should.

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

  1. Don't do it alone! Preferably find a group of accountability partners who are a little smarter and a little further along. These are the people who will stretch you the most in the direction of your dreams.
  2. Create an SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) document for all mundane and repetitive tasks. I'm shocked at how few people do this. Even if you're not ready to outsource yet, by the time you are (at which point you will be overwhelmed), your SOPs, which are effectively training manuals, will already be written. Hand them to your VA and get back to being brilliant.
  3. If you are doing business online and putting all your marketing efforts into the social media basket, you're leaving money on the table. Email marketing has a 42% return on investment. In emails, you can tell stories that make you unforgettable in the minds of your people. And it doesn't have to be daunting or hard. Hang out with me, and I'll show you how to do it the easy way.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://jennieoconnor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennieTheWordsmith
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniethewordsmith/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jennie_OConnor_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennieoconnor/

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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