Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Shalishia De'Ann, Founder of Shalishia De'Ann Creative Studio, located in Kansas City, MO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am the founder of Shalishia De'Ann Creative Studio, where we serve edupreneurs, coaches, and service providers by designing sale pages and helping them streamline and automate their client process. We are based out of Kansas City, Missouri, but we work with clients all over the world through designing and coaching to provide an effective and consistent client process that will elevate their clients’ experience while having a sales page that converts visitors to paying customers. We are honored to help these clients regain their time back and be confident in their client process.
Tell us about yourself
Like many educators who are in the classroom feeling unappreciated, underpaid, and overworked, I decided to sell my teacher resources in 2018 to bring in more income. I built out my own website and found my love for web designing. In 2021 I started my Web Design Company; I’ve helped many educators with building out their websites and sales pages.
I knew if I was looking to start a business, other educators were too. So as an edupreneur, meaning educator plus entrepreneur, I’m here to take away the stress and overwhelming feeling of building a website and keeping up with new leads, onboarding, offboarding, and everything in between by creating an effective client process using a Dubsado, a Client Management System.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner was to work with Deidra Fogarty, the CEO of Black Girls Teach. It was an honor to be asked to build out the sales page for her coaching program, Clarity to Confidence, and her personal brand website. She’s the blueprint when it comes to Educators transitioning to Entrepreneurship. Many educators look to her for guidance, so for her to trust me to build her sales page and website, I don’t take that lightly. This was a great opportunity for me, plus it taught me you never know who’s watching.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner is being okay with adjusting. As a business owner, you will learn that your plans may be written down, but things may need to change or be added. When I first started, I was just designing websites, but I noticed that my clients needed more, and I was actually using a CRM system in my own business. So, now I build out effective client processes that are streamlined and automated for my clients.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Finding an Entrepreneurship Community - Entrepreneurs' journey can be rewarding but also discouraging at the same time. When you have people who know about the journey, it can help you through.
- Don’t let Imposter Syndrome stop you - Just start! Sometimes we can talk ourselves out of moving forward.
- Invest in a Coach - There is only so much you can do on your own. Find a coach that will encourage, motivate and support you. You need a strong foundation to continue to build your business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://shalishiadeann.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shalishiadeann
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shalishiadeann/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shalishiadeann
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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