Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Marci Brand, Founder of Marci Brand Performance Coaching & Creative Marketing Concepts, Inc., located in Washington, DC, USA.

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

My business, Creative Marketing Concepts, Inc., which is celebrating its 33rd year, is an outsource marketing firm staffed by all women.  We are problem solvers at heart.  We love challenges and thrive on working on solutions for our clients.

I have also started a coaching business, Marci Brand Coaching; after more than 30 years of helping empower women, I am now working with women who are overwhelmed by their lives and commitments.  I help them gain the clarity they need to get back in the driver’s seat and move forward.  Most of my clients are entrepreneurs, so I also help them grow their businesses using my extensive experience in marketing and growing a successful business.

Tell us about yourself

I was Vice President, Marketing for a property management firm with a reputation for moving to new companies every couple of years as I looked for new challenges.  The President of the company I was working for knew that I was exploring other options and came up with the idea of starting an outsourced marketing department.  This was in 1990 and ahead of its time.  He and I were partners.  Within two years, I had bought him out and had a fledging staff of 3 women, which has grown over the years.

In 2020, I realized I was ready for a new challenge and started Marci Brand Coaching as a division of Creative Marketing Concepts.  I trained and was certified as a Performance Coach and now work with other entrepreneurs who are stuck or who need structure as they start and/or run their businesses.

What motivates me each day has changed from when I first started the company.  Now, what I look forward to is connecting with people through my coaching as well as my marketing consulting and public speaking.  I love seeing the Aha moments when I have reached someone and helped them see a new way of approaching a challenge.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is being able to help others (on my team as well as people with whom I have worked on projects and in coaching) grow and thrive.  I can honestly say that through my consulting, training, and public speaking, I have reached thousands of individuals and helped them to see things differently, have fun while working and improve their performance.  I have been fortunate to have people on my team who are as committed to the company’s growth as I am.  The average tenure at my company is 11 years, something of which I am very proud.

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

Being a business owner can be lonely.  You are responsible for the health and success of the company.  Your team relies on you for leadership and vision.  While you may be part of a team, when it comes down to it, the final decisions are yours and can impact others in terms of finances as well as happiness and a sense of fulfillment.

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

  1. Go all in.  If you keep one foot on the dock and one foot in the boat, you will go nowhere.  You need to decide that you are moving from a safety net (current circumstances), and nothing is going to stop you from starting something new.
  2. Don’t be afraid of starting small.  If you try to do too much in the beginning, you will easily get discouraged.  Don’t compare yourself and your success to others.  Set your own goals and celebrate every win, no matter how small.
  3. Done, not perfect.—If you wait for something to be perfect, you will never get it done.  Perfectionism is actually a form of procrastination and a sign of fear of failure.  You will fail, but it is a learning experience.  If you do nothing because you are not ready, the time isn’t right, or the product isn’t perfect, you will never have a chance at growing.  What you think isn’t perfect is often something that others will find amazing.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Starting and growing a business takes a lot of time, care, and energy.  Please remember that if you are not at your best, you will not be serving others well.  It is important to set boundaries and take care of yourself so you have the strength to serve others (your team and clients as well as your family and friends).  Working 24/7 will not enhance your success.  It will lead to burnout and frustration.  As an entrepreneur, it is hard to turn it off.  Set a start and stop time for your work day, and make sure you recharge yourself.  That will give you the strength and energy needed to approach each day with creativity, purpose, and drive.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website(Marketing): https://getcreativemarketing.com/
Website(Coaching): https://marcibrand.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarciBrandCoach
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcibrandcoaching/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marci-brand-peformance-coach/

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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