Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Hannah Martin, Founder and Director of Talented Ladies Club, located in Worthing, West Sussex, UK.

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

We’re an online magazine publishing daily content and providing online training courses that unlock the potential of mothers. Our mission is to make it easy for women to pursue their ambitions - be that business or career - and earn the money they deserve.

Tell us about yourself

My background is in advertising - I was an award-winning copywriter for agencies in Hong Kong and London. When I had children, I was shocked at the barriers and prejudice mothers faced in the workplace and the lack of inspiration and support for them. So, in 2013, I created what I felt was missing - an online hub that shared content and training for mothers.

Ten years on, I feel just as passionate about helping women (and men - we have men reading our site and joining our courses now too). I enjoy solving problems, researching training programmes, and teaching classes. There is always something new to learn, and nothing beats receiving an email from someone whose life you have made better.

Do you have daily rituals for work / wellness / fitness / mindfulness?

I have a number of rituals that give my day structure and help my well-being and business. I start every morning with the NY Times Crossword and a cup of tea. This feels like I am easing my brain into the day! I then walk to my office and put music on while I make a list of what I want to achieve that day. This focuses my mind and enables me to concentrate on achieving those tasks once I start working.

I love cooking and find it helps me unwind from the day, so I will start preparing a family meal every afternoon when I get in from work - I usually listen to a podcast or music as I do. Over the years, I have learned to set clear boundaries between work and home and make sure that my laptop is firmly closed when I am cooking. This way, I can just be in the moment rather than switching between tasks.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I am incredibly proud of our achievements at Talented Ladies Club. To still be growing and thriving 10 years on is an accomplishment. And I still feel I have so much to learn and do. It’s also rewarding to be able to pay forward some of our success. We donate a percentage of our turnover every month to a number of charities, including MicroLoan, which provides the poorest women in sub-Saharan Africa with small loans and training to enable them to work their own way out of poverty.

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

Definitely working on your own! Even if you have a team around you, all the decisions ultimately come down to you. And you need to identify what you will work on and motivate yourself to actually get on and do the work. It is very tempting to focus on what you are good at and like, but you can’t ignore any aspect of running a business. You need to confront the difficult and ugly parts of business just as much as the fun and glamorous stuff.

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

  1. Choose a niche. It’s tempting to broaden your potential pool of customers by offering more services or products that appeal to more people. But, as long as your niche has enough people in it, you will always find it easier to build a brand and convert sales with a clear niche.
  2. Sell. Talking of sales, one of my favourite sayings when I work with business owners is, ‘If you don’t DO sales, you won’t GET sales.’ Too often, business owners shy away from selling… and then wonder why no one is buying! Customers aren’t psychic. You need to talk to them, build relationships with them and ask for the sale.
  3. Know your numbers. How will you know if you are making a profit (or a loss) if you don’t know your numbers? I recommend keeping a spreadsheet pinned open on your browser and keeping it regularly updated with sales and expenses. This way, you know where your money is coming from and going and can make informed and timely decisions to bring in more of it.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.talentedladiesclub.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalentedLadiesClub/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talentedladiesclub/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/talentedladies
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahmartintlc/

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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