Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Michelle Ewart, owner of ME Creative, located in Oahu, HI, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I have a creative marketing agency that services both Napa Valley wine country and the Hawaiian Islands. My customers are primarily wineries, breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and farms.
Tell us about yourself
I was working in a corporate wine role overseeing social media for 13 brands when I started to hear more and more from businesses about the need to hire someone in a freelance position that was knowledgeable about both the industry and the ability to tell the brand story through a digital lens and voice while providing the personal touch that many smaller businesses need and appreciate.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I celebrate the small wins! Every day that I meet someone new in the industry, learn a new skill, or produce work that I'm proud of is an achievement for me. I truly feel that self-employment is a marathon, not a sprint, and if we don't pat ourselves on the back on a regular basis, it's easy to become too hard on ourselves.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
I love what I do, and I work in a very niche industry. Because I take so much pride in my work, it's sometimes difficult to power off at the end of the day, but I know it's important to take care of my mental health too.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Know your worth and never sell yourself short. Taking a short-term loss for a long-term gain (e.g., lowering your rates to break into a different market) may seem fine at the moment, but remember how far you've come and what your time and work are worth.
- Never stop learning and expanding your skillset. You never know when you might want to (or need to) pivot. Continuous education and improvement are key to success in any business.
- Network, network, network! Don't underestimate the power of an outreach email, attending an industry group, or dropping someone a DM on social media. You never know where these connections might take you.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://mecreativehawaii.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mecreativehawaii/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleewart1/
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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