Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in childcare but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jessalyn Romney, Founder & Author of The Sleep Fairy Way, located in Phoenix, AZ, USA.

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

The Sleep Fairy Way is a baby sleep consulting business. I help parents teach their babies how to sleep, so they can sleep, too!

Tell us about yourself

As a new mom, it made zero sense to me that parents would go months or even years without sleep. How did they function? How did they take care of themselves and their babies with no sleep? And if we teach our kids how to walk, talk and eat, why wouldn't we teach them how to sleep? Through lots of research, collaborations with multiple pediatricians, and a very patient baby, I taught my first baby how to sleep 12 hours by 12 weeks in a gentle, loving, and effective way. Not only did my method work for my other three babies since then, but it has also been successful for thousands of families around the world.

I'm the kind of person that gets super overwhelmed with information. There is SO much info out there for parenting that even when you DO find something you like, you can't remember where you found it, what it said, or when you should try whatever. Because of this constant feeling of confusion and information overload, I have made it my mission to simplify sleep. Watching families go from feeling sleep-deprived, hopeless, and completely defeated to seeing them thrive, enjoy parenthood, and feel like their best selves because of sleep has been incredible. Watching this transformation firsthand motivates me to keep going and keep finding families who need sleep but don't know how to get it.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been reaching families all across the world in over 50 countries. It's incredible to me that regardless of language, culture, ethnicity, or race, most parents want the same thing - to be the best parents they can be and to give their children the best life they possibly can. Showing up for your child every day is important for achieving that goal, but it's nearly impossible to show up as our best selves when we aren't getting enough sleep. I love when parents come to me and say, "My baby slept all night, and I feel like an entirely new person! I finally feel like I can be the parent I've always wanted to be. And my baby is so much happier, too!" I'm forever grateful for the fact that I have turned to do something that I love into a profitable business.

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

One of the biggest challenges for me as a business owner is deciding what to focus on and at what time. Do we need to focus more on product or marketing right now? I want to create a new course, but should we focus on building the current course out first? There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to a business, so prioritizing and finding balance has been a lesson I'm still working on.

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

  • First, make sure you love what you do. Running a business is hard enough. If you don't absolutely love and believe in your product or service, you will burn out quickly.
  • Two, don't give up! Sales, growth, and lessons learned all ebb and flow. Don't let the lows discourage you, but rather look at them as an opportunity to learn and grow for what's next.
  • And three, build a team with people who believe in your vision as much as you do. There will be times when you're feeling discouraged, so being surrounded by people who can support you and remind you of your mission will make all the difference.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.thesleepfairyway.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesleepfairyway/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_sleepfairy/

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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