Copy and Content Writing for Small Business - Kara Blakey

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in freelancing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kara Blakey, Founder of Kara Blakey Content and Copy, located in Carbondale, CO, USA.

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

My business is Kara Blakey Content and Copy. As a freelance copy and content writer, I provide a variety of services to individuals who are looking to grow their small businesses. As of right now, the majority of my clients are owners of businesses in the alternative health and wellness space, although I am branching out to restaurants and other small businesses in the Roaring Fork Valley, where I hope to continue to grow my client base. While the needs of these clients differ, I am primarily providing website copy, blogs, newsletters, articles, and social media content - really just any writing task that helps these businesses promote themselves. Essentially, I communicate these businesses’ services, offerings, and products to current and potential customers while simultaneously helping business owners attract more clients, make more money, and win back their time.

Tell us about yourself

I was a 6th-grade Language Arts teacher for 11 years. While this job was incredibly rewarding and allowed me to collaborate with some amazing teachers and students, the high demands, long hours, and pay weren’t allowing me to live the life that I wanted. I was burnt out and stuck. After another teacher friend of mine left the profession and found success in the copywriting industry, I too felt like this might be a great option for me. I was looking for a job where I wasn’t bound by a schedule and one that allowed me a little more freedom, both financially and personally.

As a freelance writer, I am able to set my own hours and my own rates while working with people that I admire and am inspired by. It can be easy to get stuck in the world of education and feel like you aren’t really progressing personally or professionally. For the past decade, my life revolved around my students and my job, and I no longer felt challenged or excited by what the profession offered. In the few short months I have owned my business and worked as a copywriter, I have met some incredible people - people who are changing their communities through the services and products they provide. It is the relationships that I am building and the relationships that I will build that motivate me to continue my work. I am fueled by the prospect of learning new, meeting new people, and building a beautiful life.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Right now, since my business is still in its infancy, I would say that my biggest accomplishment so far is the fact that I started a business. I never thought I would own a business, to be quite honest. This was never really a dream of mine nor part of my plan. It sort of just presented itself as a viable option, so I ran with it. Completing all the paperwork, making my website, and reaching out to those first few clients feel like an incredible feat, and I look forward to more success along the way.

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

The hardest thing that comes along with being a business owner is uncertainty. There really isn’t a steady paycheck yet in the way that there was for me as a teacher. Unforeseen circumstances could lead to me losing a client at any moment, so that is a bit unsettling. I am in control of whether or not I stay in business, which can feel a little overwhelming at times as well. This just means I need to constantly work to prove my worth to my clients and always reach out to other businesses that I feel would benefit from my services. The hustle is real, and it’s exhilarating and horrifying at the same time.

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

The top 3 tips I would give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today would be this:

1. Just do it. Getting things started is not as intimidating as it may seem. There are so many resources out there to help you through the beginning stages of starting a business, and there are so many wonderful business owners who are more than happy to share their expertise. If you are unhappy with where you are and have a different dream, it is NEVER too late to get started.
2. Be transparent. Tell anyone and everyone about your idea. So much of my success so far has come from people hearing or overhearing my story. People are genuinely interested in others’ pursuit of happiness and, in my experience, very willing to help, especially if they see how much you believe in your idea/business.
3. Mindset matters. It’s easy to get self-conscious or doubt your ability to move forward. Spend time making sure you are in a good headspace through mindfulness work, exercise, or reading inspiring literature. There is going to be rejection in this pursuit - there is no way around it - but if you are able to take that rejection and learn from it and become motivated by it, then you will have no trouble succeeding with your goals.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.kblakeycc.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-blakey-521273136/

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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