Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in freelancing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sophie Bégin, Founder of Mausus Rédaction, located in Saint-Cyrille-de-Wendover, QC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is called Mausus Rédaction. It is a freelancing service for anyone in need of proofreading, editing, ghostwriting, copywriting, and translation from ENG to FR. Although I communicate with my clients mostly in English, I only create content that promotes the beautiful French language, my mother tongue.
My clientele is international and from all walks of life. Individuals, self-employed, business owners, non-profit organizations, government authorities, and marketing agencies are among the type of clientele I reach.
Tell us about yourself
I started on my own in 2019, when I had just resigned from a permanent job in communication and marketing, which was quite well paid. I liked the tasks assigned to me, but I wanted to do more, and I knew I could deliver the goods. I wanted to do the same kind of tasks but by having a grip on different sectors.
It is not the sources of motivation that I miss:
• my love for the french language
• the desire to find the right words at the right time
• the possibility of meeting new people at any moment
• thanks or positive comments from customers
• my two adorable Pyrenees mountains dogs, which cost me dearly in raw meat
• the dream of one day being able to access a property that would be mine
• and all many other dreams that are top secret
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
What I am most proud of is never having given up despite two difficult first years. I thought that I would end up with burnout as I could no longer get the work out of my head. I'm proud to have been able to turn down client requests when I was at my wit's end. For someone who is having a hard time saying "no," that's a pretty big step!
When I started my own company, I had no money in my pocket. In my first year, I was in deficit and at a stress level that was, sure, not healthy. Today, as we soon reach the end of my third year as Mausus Rédaction's owner, I will reach the milestone of $50,000.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
For my part, I would say that the most difficult thing about becoming an independent entrepreneur is being alone on board. The burden of the resulting task is impressive: you have to find contracts and deliver flawlessly amazing content every time while ensuring the proper functioning of your own business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't wait for the perfect moment. To quote Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams, "If you build it, he will come." Do not put off your dream for fear of… [insert the fear of your choice here]. Find your niche and go for it. People will come and probably a lot faster than you imagined.
- Surround yourself with people who can help you move forward. Do not hesitate to seek the help that is available for people starting a business. These services are often free and will allow you to do things right from the start.
- Don't be afraid to be wrong. It is by trial and error that you will manage to find your own place in the world of entrepreneurship. Do not hesitate to change everything when a new idea comes to upset your vision. The worst that could happen: it could work.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.mausus-redaction.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laptitemausus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laptitemausus/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3BW0lN7
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.