Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in web design and marketing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sarah Jansel, founder, and CEO of Jansel & Co., located in London, ON, Canada.

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

Jansel & Co isn't your typical web design company. Shopify Partner. Omnisend Partner. Shop experts. Dream team - whatever you want to call us. We know our stuff, and we're excited to make magic with you! Jansel & Co is a boutique agency built for the Shopify store owner. We are a full-service shop helping clients with what's important: building, branding, and growing their Shopify stores.

Our client's businesses are unique, and we love that! We feel it's our mission to get to know our clients and their businesses inside and out. Knowing what they all about help us find ways to best serve the needs of our clients and their ideal customers. We work with new or experienced small to medium-sized companies and entrepreneurs looking to level up their game and build a business that works for them (not the other way around). Nothing lights us up more than helping you build your business. We are experts at what we do because we don't just walk the talk; we've owned Shopify stores too!

Tell us about yourself

I started my Shopify journey back in 2018. While working as a VP, People & Operations at a local tech company, I decided to launch my own e-commerce fashion boutique. After starting my Shopify business, I sought out as much information as I could on setting one up, running it, and making it profitable.

In 2020 when the pandemic hit, I was in the midst of expanding my boutique when I decided to launch my coaching business, showing others how to create income online on Shopify. I loved it so much I decided to leave my 9-5 job a few months later.

The opportunity to help other entrepreneurs develop the e-commerce side of their business is amazing! No two companies are ever alike. Today, my business has expanded with a small team supporting clients in the areas they need most when venturing into the online space - and on such an amazing platform. I tell all my clients, "if you can dream it, we can build it for you."

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Since launching my coaching business in June 2020, I'm proud to have supported over 55 clients - from farms to fashion - develop and grow awesome Shopify stores. I've also grown a Facebook Community (Simplify Shopify) to over 730 members, where I host free masterclasses on a variety of topics related to Shopify and e-commerce. This group is one of the ways I've opted to give back to those interested in learning about Shopify, without having to navigate it alone or use YouTube and Google to figure things out the way I did.

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

As an entrepreneur, I have to constantly remind myself that you don't need to have it all figured out, and it doesn't have to be perfect. Taking action and hiring things out that aren't your expertise will go a long way in the process.

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

One of the best pieces of advice I can offer is to remember that your journey will change and evolve - and that's the best part! You just need to start somewhere. Take my journey, for example; I started out as a shop owner and moved into supporting amazing brands to build out their businesses on Shopify. Had I not made the move to start my own business, I may never have developed the experiences, worked with such an amazing community, and been able to help people get online when it was needed the most. Also, if you aren't loving something or you aren't skilled in a certain aspect of your business - outsource it or hire a coach. The best investment you'll ever make.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Strong businesses (including e-commerce) are built on community. Any chance you get to help someone, give back to a community, or build connections - say yes! You aren't meant to do it all alone. It's much more fun if you can be a part of, build and foster a community of your own!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.janselandco.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/simplifyshopify
https://www.facebook.com/janselandco

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sarahjansel/
https://www.instagram.com/janselandco/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.