Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Amanda Webb, Founder of Spiderworking, located in Athy, Kildare, Ireland.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Hi, I'm Amanda, a Digital Marketing ROI Consultant, trainer, and mentor. That means I help businesses ensure they get the maximum sales and profit from their online marketing.
I'm doing a lot of Google Analytics 4 Training right now as the July 1st deadline for switching over looms. I also do group training programmes and a one-2-one mentoring programme that gets businesses up to speed on building their digital marketing around their measurement plans. I just launched my GA4 beginners course https://payhip.com/b/X5CVr to help businesses make the switch and find their way around.
Tell us about yourself
I started my first real business in 2007, selling corporate gifts; when the recession hit, it was clear that corporate gifts were the first thing to be cut from business budgets. A big part of my marketing for corporate gifts had been online utilising social media and content, so I started this business to pass on the skills I learnt to others. I started the business with €20 by buying a Skype In number and a website hosting package. To my delight, I was profitable immediately.
I fell in love with analytics because, like many entrepreneurs, I was spending a lot of time creating content. I was blogging, YouTubing, Podcasting, Livestreaming, and doing all the socials. I also didn't get much sleep! Using analytics, I was able to pull back from a lot of these activities and focus on the things that were attracting and converting customers. That's where my love of analytics and ROI comes from. Now I work less, but I haven't taken a hit on my turnover.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I've spoken on stages that I craved to speak on and won awards that I dreamed of winning, but I get the most joy from seeing my clients thrive when we work together. Without that, nothing else matters.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
So many things make being in business hard, but that's what makes it fun. You have to work extra hard if you want to take time off. The pressure to keep the business running is all on you; if it fails, you have no money. If you have a low motivation day, there's no one there to give you a kick. But I wouldn't swap it for a 9 to 5 for the world.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Make sure you have something that people actually want to buy. It's so easy to get carried away with an idea, but you need to make sure there is a real need for your product or service.
- Have a routine. I think people are better at working from home now as they were forced to during the pandemic. But without a routine, it's easy for days to pass with little work done. I have a pretty strict routine, and it keeps me productive.
- Measure everything. When you don't measure your numbers, your money, your sales, and your marketing, you don't know if you are being successful. Put together a measurement plan with goals before you even start so you can monitor your progress and tweak your strategies.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://spiderworking.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandawebbsocial/
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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