Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in marketing services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lorraine Shaw, Owner of Take it to the Edge Marketing, located in Tucson, AZ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is marketing. I handle clients from the service industries, professionals, nonprofits, and realtors. I do not do retail.
Tell us about yourself
Take It to the Edge Marketing was an idea that came out of the blue one spring day in 2012. I was having conversations with my bookkeeping friend about her marketing needs and how to launch her venture. She said to me, "gee Lorraine, you need to create a marketing consulting company so you can share all your vast knowledge with struggling companies. You have helped me launch my business successfully, and I know you can help so many others do the same." That put into motion the desire to create this unique marketing company. The name came from what I believe is the essential ingredient for success for any company - edgie and creative thinking. With over 40 years of sales and marketing experience, I have the expertise to analyze your business and come up with creative marketing solutions.
What makes us different from all the rest of the marketing agencies out there? I would say it is our desire to educate and elevate the business owner's sense of passion and either discover or rediscover their "why." Passion is what drives us, and our "why" is what can sustain us through rough times. If we lose our passion for our business or lose our purpose and focus, which is our "why," then our business will falter and stumble. I help reignite those and zero in on the target, which is who your audience is.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Helping small businesses become successful. I helped a landscaper go from $500k to $1M in gross revenue in a little under 3 years.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Keeping the pipeline full for new clients for yourself while taking care of the business you have.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be sure you are passionate about the business you wish to start and educate yourself constantly about it.
- Run your business smartly, and don't allow it to run you.
- To grow your business, you must have a smart marketing plan and be consistent with it. The old adage is that you have to spend money to make money.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.takeittotheedgemarketing.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeittotheedge/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorraine-shaw/
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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