Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in advertising services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Callie Saigh, Founder of Rise Up Web Design, located in Lakewood, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The intended focus at Rise Up Web Design is to work with creatives, healers, spiritual entrepreneurs, and other mindful small business owners. The goal is to help these businesses elevate their online presence with intuitive, purposeful, and expressive websites that match the authenticity they share with the world. I specialize in building Squarespace websites, but my passion really comes down to helping solopreneurs who need someone in their corner as they navigate the complex digital and technological landscape when launching a new business.
Tell us about yourself
I started my career working for large corporate marketing/market research firms supporting numerous Fortune 500 companies with their marketing strategies. My main role was to advise my clients, using data and analytics, how to spend and maximize their marketing dollars. My time at these large firms taught me the fundamentals of marketing and the importance of knowing who your target audience is and how to find them. But through my corporate successes, I yearned for more... something more meaningful, fulfilling, and personal. I have never been career-driven but rather purpose-driven, and I knew in the depths of my soul the corporate career path was not for me. I spent the better half of a decade using data and analytics to inform clients how to best market their brands but ultimately decided to leave my corporate career when I became a mother in 2017.
It was around this time that I learned when you are ready to listen, the universe shows up for you in incredible ways. After my daughter was born, I was fortunate to have time to tap into my creative talents, which included building a couple of websites for friends and family. In 2020, I officially launched Rise Up Web Design with the intention of providing affordable web design services to small businesses looking to share their own light and talents with the world.
The part of running this business that brings me the highest joy is meeting new people who are passionate about what they do and getting to play a part in building their business. I genuinely love making meaningful and impactful connections with others because when we come from a place of having a true desire to nurture and allow the space to learn from others, that's when the magic happens!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is how I have stayed true and authentic to myself and my values as I continue to build a successful business. My business is a true reflection of my genuine self, and I approach the relationships I build with my clients with as much compassion, kindness, and love as I do my own personal relationships.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
There is so much responsibility on your plate as a business owner, especially us that do the solopreneur game. But I think the hardest thing to overcome when you're just starting out, beyond the never-ending day-to-day work, is to tune out the negative self-talk and work through imposter syndrome. There will always be someone out there that has more experience, more success, and more followers, but you have to continue to believe and trust in yourself that there's a reason why you started this journey and that you have your own unique skills to bring to the game.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Surround yourself with a supportive community! Beyond your own personal crew, put yourself out there in various networking and professional groups that can provide guidance, resources, advice, support, and, hopefully, referrals. A supportive community will be imperative for your success!
- Know your value, set boundaries, and say no when necessary! This is a tough one, especially if you're a people pleaser. But remember, you have the power to decide who you are going to work with and how. Make sure the clients and/or projects you take on align with your business values, goals, and capabilities.
- Stop talking about it, be about it! Time to put perfectionism to the side and put yourself out there. If you have a mindset that everything has to be perfect and that you need "all your ducks in a row" before you can get started, you won't get anywhere. Recognize that progress is more important than perfection. As I was starting my own business, I was selling website design services before I even had a website of my own. It was important to me to make sure this was something I enjoyed doing (and could get paid doing!) before I invested more time, energy, and money into getting "set up." You'll never know what you're capable of until you go; just go for it!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.riseupwebdesign.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066411504943
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riseup_webdesign/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/callie-saigh-66b9002a/
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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