Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sarah Lane, Founder of Inskhed Inc. dba Pickletack, located in Bainbridge Island, WA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am an editor and a writer. My clients are people who need their manuscripts edited, people looking for writing coaching or feedback, professors looking for an editor for their articles and grant proposals, and companies that connect editors and writers.
Tell us about yourself
I started editing and writing almost right out of college. First, I worked in-house for textbook development companies. I worked my way up to the director of the college division at one outfit pretty quickly. Then I quit working as a freelancer. I've been doing it ever since.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Being flexible enough to change and adapt quickly. I started a blog on global issues like climate change and that spawned a pioneering green retail business. We got our products into Whole Foods and drew the attention of Martha Stewart and Oprah. I also started a local news website that partnered with The Seattle Times and was voted in the top five news websites in the state. We drew more than 6,000 readers per day.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Knowing if you're making the right decision when you're trying to anticipate your business needs. For example, when running the green tail business, we made the decision to invest in a large number of T-shirts to save us from the constant supply chain problems we were having. But at that time, the green products market was amping up, and suddenly we faced a lot more competition. It was the wrong decision, ultimately, but it seemed like the right one at the time.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Focus the business on what you love to do and what you're good at. To run a successful business, you will be spending a lot of time on it, so don't commit to something you're not passionate about. You won't be good at it if you don't believe in it wholeheartedly.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.pickletack.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-lane-0706188/
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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