Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kat Sabatini, Founder and CEO of Tuesday Resume, located in New York, USA.

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

Tuesday Resume is a woman-owned resume writing and career services business. We serve professionals who are mid-career or executive level – COOs, Executive Directors, VPs, and more – leaders who have done the hard work of climbing the ladder. We provide personalized resume writing to position leaders for their next successful role.

We work with professionals one-on-one (virtually, from the comfort of their office or home) to dive deep into their experience, identify their short- & long-term goals, and deliver a professional, well-designed resume that feels authentic.

Tell us about yourself

I’m the Founder and Resume Writer in Chief at Tuesday Resume. I chose the name for my company because Tuesday is generally the best day to submit your resume, and I like data that tells a story. I know what top companies want to see when hiring because I spent 15 years working with some of the world’s most desirable brands, including Amazon, Procter & Gamble, AMEX, Ralph Lauren, and Microsoft. I’ve personally reviewed hundreds of resumes as a hiring manager – technical, non-technical, managers, individual contributors, etc. As a former ad agency exec, I participated in mass “speed hiring” events for major business wins. Now, as a professional resume writer, I use my marketing background and hiring manager lens to tell an authentic, impressive story with my career accomplishments.

My business expanded quickly due to my amazing network – in addition to being a former Amazon leader, I have an MBA from the Yale School of Management, and I’m a member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARWCC). I know the value of professional relationships and encourage my clients to reach out and stay active with former colleagues, clients, and business partners.
I’ve served as a board member, career mentor, and entrepreneur. I also teach yoga in my free time. Across my many interests and jobs, I’m motivated to coach and help others succeed. There is nothing more personally rewarding to me than hearing from a client that our partnership played a part in their success!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Life can be unpredictable. I’ve worked with professionals who, like you and I, balance work, family, and personal lives. When layoffs happen, it’s not just a resume that the writer needs to think about – it’s a whole person who is going through a difficult experience. It requires empathy, patience, and creativity.
One of my clients had almost 30 years of loyal work history with his company when a significant round of layoffs ended his employment suddenly. So much of his experience relied on proprietary technology and tools, and his previous resumes were all written to appeal to this one employer – but I could see that his skills and experience were extremely transferrable to a new role. I crafted a resume that I thought would appeal to an outside hiring manager. It wasn’t the most aesthetically beautiful resume, but the content was solid! Within a month, this client came back to me with some feedback. He said a company he’d applied to had been about to make an offer to a candidate when they saw his resume and stopped everything. They just HAD to bring him in for an interview because his resume looked that great.

This is one of my greatest accomplishments as a business owner. If nothing else – if the business isn’t the most competitive, or the largest, or the winner of awards – I know I’ve made a difference.

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

One of my colleagues and I have a silly saying, “everything is hard and takes a long time.” It makes us laugh because we – like many business owners – choose things that are hard and time-consuming because they are worth the effort.

The hardest thing about being a business owner for me, especially as a solo venture, is switching between so many hats. Within the same day, I might be a salesperson, marketer, or client-coach. Fortunately, I’ve found great tools to help with scheduling (administrative assistant), billing (accounts receivable), and online presence (a content writer).

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

  1. When you’re getting started, try everything once. You honestly never know what is going to work until you do! Offer new services, use new tools, change website hosts – it’s all good until you find the perfect suite of tools and offerings that works for your customers and you.
  2. Create a budget and track your time religiously. I didn’t do this at first, and it left me really confused about how to adequately price services, manage the projects and clients I accepted, and which tools I absolutely needed to pay for. It will help you make projections and set goals, which in turn makes you ask, “what do I need to do to get there?” A simple budget and tracker can result in powerful action items.
  3. Prepare for and document issues. Yes, it can be like holding up a mirror to a big zit on your face – uncomfortable and even shameful. But issues WILL happen, and your ability to weather the storm will strengthen your business. Your perseverance will take you further than you ever thought your business could go.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.tuesdayresume.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tuesday-resume/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.