Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Michelle Reyes, Founder of OfficeManagerOnline, located in Liverpool, NY, USA.

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

I work with solopreneurs and small businesses to define and improve business processes as well as implement software to automate workflows.

Tell us about yourself

I've been in the office administration arena for over 15 years, working with companies at various stages of growth - from startups to multinational companies. Like most people, the pandemic in 2020 provided an opportunity for me to reassess my life purpose and goals. Because I've always wanted my work to have an impact, I felt like many small businesses could benefit from process management. From my experience, most business owners don't realize how much losses they incur from inefficient methods or the "we've always done it this way" approach. This is what motivates me every day - the chance to work with small businesses that are ready to reinvent their mindset by giving their operation the tools it needs to level up!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Simply becoming a business owner! Because so many brave individuals take this leap every day, sometimes the enormity of this life-altering decision gets overlooked or underestimated.

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

It's not a journey for the impatient or faint-hearted, that's for sure. There are many (many) obstacles to overcome and decisions to be made. For me, the most difficult aspect of being a business owner is the compromised (or lack of) quality time with family. Many people believe that working for yourself means the freedom to do whatever you want. Not necessarily, at least not in the very beginning. Starting a business is like taking care of a child - they both require much time and attention. While business ownership is certainly an investment, you sometimes can't help wondering about the opportunity cost - the time with family that you will never get back.

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

  1. Starting a business: Use as many FREE resources to get started as possible, even if you have the capital to spend. I've seen businesses operating for many years (and can certainly afford it!) choose to spend less on a specific expense when there's a free option available that gives relatively the same value to the business. All the newest toys, tech, and gadgets are certainly not necessary to get a business up and running.
  2. Running a business: Take some time to figure out what your ideal operation looks like. Ask yourself questions like: "What does a potential customer see when they first engage with my business or product/service? What would I like that initial impression to be? What happens next? What type of experience should they come away with?" This helps to define your process and identify what needs to be implemented based on your goals for the business.
  3. Growing a business: Your growth strategy should be based on YOUR goals and business model. Someone else's measure of success doesn't have to be yours. Run your own race. Be diligent. Trust the process - everything happens as it should! :)

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://officemanageronline.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officemanager01/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficeManagerO1
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/officemanageronline/

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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