Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lyndsay Phillips, CEO of Smooth Business Podcasting, located in Seagrave, ON, Canada.

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

We are a full-service Podcast Agency (and creator of the Podcast Leverage System™) conducting podcast launches, production, and promotion with a specialty in leveraging podcasts for visibility, authority, and business growth. Whether you host a podcast or are guesting on podcasts, you can leverage that content to create authority-boosting content that attracts more clients. Our clients are entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses through podcasting (guesting or hosting).

Tell us about yourself

I worked part-time as a virtual assistant (along with two other 'regular' jobs). I loved it and saw the potential to make more money and create my own life and be in control - so I bit the bullet and decided to work for myself and quit my other jobs. I grew a Virtual Assistant Agency, then niched down to Content Marketing. Then after seeing the results, I was getting from launching a podcast (and guesting on shows), plus the results my clients were getting from podcasts we produced, I knew it was time to niche down again to podcasting. Not only was it so much easier to market my business and attract my ideal client, but it allowed us to use podcasts as a content marketing tool to gain greater results for our clients.

What motivates me? The relationships I build with my clients and being an integral part of their team to help them grow and impact more people.  I also love connecting with other podcasters and entrepreneurs and am so grateful that hosting my own show (and guesting on others) has brought so many amazing people into my life. That real human live connection with others across the globe is what makes it fun.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is being able to grow the agency with a team and be able to bring my husband on board to work on the business together. The business has not only been able to support our household but also give us more freedom to do camping and the things we love with our two kids. I'm also proud to have launched the Leverage Your Podcast Show last year and grown it to be one of the top 5% of podcasts and be #11 in the Top 100 Marketing Shows on Goodpods.

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

I think scaling the business is the hardest. Being able to create systems and train team members to delegate so that the business can run more without you. It's always a growing work in progress.

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

  1. Be very clear on who your ideal client is so that you can market to them more effectively with the right language. What are their pain points, jobs, day-to-day, where do they hang out (what social media platforms), and how do they learn (do they listen to podcasts, do they prefer video or read)? It'll affect how and where you market your business too.
  2. Don't be afraid to niche down. It allows you to have a specific area of expertise, and you can become the 'expert' and authority in that arena much faster. It also makes it easier to market your business when you do ONE thing well. You become the go-to solution for that problem.
  3. Take action, even if it's scary. Say yes to opportunities, start a podcast, guest on podcasts, and create a new program. Whatever it is - taking action constantly and not letting fear hold you back will help you achieve results faster.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.smoothbusinessgrowth.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smoothsailingbg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smoothbusinessgrowth/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndsayphillips/

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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