Give Life to Your Digital Projects

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in freelancing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sofia Chevrolat, CEO of MADIMEDIA, located in Fort-de-France, Martinique(F.W.I.)

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

I'm a freelance Software Engineer with 10+ years of experience in the field. My customers are mostly companies looking for a skilled project manager or software engineer to create, improve or internationalize their software product.

Tell us about yourself

For me, starting my business was about freedom: the freedom to work with clients I chose, on projects I loved and was genuinely interested in, including projects of my own. My goal is to use tech for the Greater Good and make socially minded and helpful products. I'm passionate about software engineering, and being able to do that every day, on my terms, see the software come to life, being used, and helping people every day, is all the motivation I need.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I was honored to represent my native region of Martinique, a small French island in the Caribbean, by presenting my work and career at an international tech conference. It was great to be there and put my native region on the map for so many great people, showing that Martinique may be small but big in talent.

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

Time management is definitely a challenge. Running a business solo means having to wear many hats: do what you do, of course, but also be the manager, the marketer, the accountant, and the recruiter sometimes... Even if you're in a position to hire people to do that for you, it is still important to have an overview of things and manage these contractors to make sure everything is the way it should be.

Additionally, things move very quickly in my field, so I also have to make time to stay on top of the latest technologies. At the same time, finding time to relax, exercise, and be present in your personal life is important.
It is a balancing act.

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

My main piece of advice would be to know your "why": why you do what you do, the way you do it. It will act as a lighthouse and keep you going when the seas get rough. Besides that, my 3 top tips would be:

Know yourself, your values, and your strengths. I think it helps in analyzing opportunities and picking those that fit best and where you can bring the most value. This, in turn, leads to convincing pitches, valuable collaborations, and asking for and receiving the compensation you deserve.
Know what you want and, maybe just as important, what you don't want. Saying no to things that do not feel right is probably just as important as picking the right opportunities.
Be prepared to work both smart and hard, meaning don't waste time on things that do not bring any value. Focus all your energy on your goal and what you strive to accomplish.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website:
http://www.madimedia.pro/
https://iampositive.madimedia.pro/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofiachevrolat/

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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