Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Edie Clarke, Founder of Virtually In Sync, located in Brooklyn, NY, USA.

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

I'm a Remote Video Producer and YouTube Strategist, and I help service provider entrepreneurs, like coaches, course creators, virtual assistants, strategists, and the like, turn their knowledge and expertise into YouTube videos that will grow their online presence without feeling overwhelmed or confused, even if they’re apprehensive about technology.

Tell us about yourself

I got interested in video production when I was a teen, and for a year after high school, I worked at the local television station where I grew up in the US Virgin Islands. I worked in every position, from chyron operator to camera person to editor, and I FELL IN LOVE with video and television production. After briefly attending college in NY and LA, I held various positions in the production and film fields that included administrative, sales, production assistant, and video producer.

In 2012, I opened Virtually In Sync, where I provided video editing services primarily to speakers for their reels and then eventually expanded my services to include YouTube management, video strategy consulting, and remote or virtual video production.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment happened a few years after starting my business when I got my first big monthly client, who hired me to not only edit her videos but trusted me to manage and improve her YouTube channel. I was able to help her grow her channel from 1200 subscribers to well over 35,000 in a matter of 6–8 months.

It was the first time I was able to do this, and it happened because not only did I employ every tactic needed to grow her channel, but she was an excellent partner who followed my recommendations. It was also a great accomplishment because it helped me recognize that I was good at what I did even though I wasn't on the same level as the mega-gurus in my niche.

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

As a business owner, I sometimes feel like everything is on my shoulders. When you first start your business, you often can't afford to hire staff or delegate tasks to a virtual assistant. Thus, many new entrepreneurs feel like they have to do everything by themselves. Not only does it involve the things you're good at, but also the tasks you dread most.

Ultimately, by taking on different roles in your business, you will develop a deeper understanding of what it takes to run a successful operation. This makes you a better overall business owner. However, once you're in good financial shape, it's best to hire those who know more than you do so that they can help you succeed.

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

  1. One of the best things you can do for your business is to find a mentor. A mentor can help guide you through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, offer advice based on their own experience, and help you stay on track with your goals. They can also introduce you to new opportunities and contacts that you wouldn't have otherwise met. Suppose you can find a mentor who's been successful in the same industry as your business. Even better! If you're a new entrepreneur, it's normal to feel inundated by the many things you need to learn and the many decisions to make. How can you make sure that you're making the right ones?
  2. One key is to be open and willing to experiment. Trying new things is the only way to learn what works and what doesn't. And as an entrepreneur, you can't afford to be afraid of failure - in fact, you should embrace it! Every mistake is an opportunity to learn something new. So go ahead and try out that new idea - who knows, it might just work!
  3. As a new entrepreneur, you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed with all of the possibilities and choices that are available to you. It can be difficult to decide what you want to do, much less how to go about doing it. But before you can move forward, it is important to take a step back and ask yourself some key questions: Why do you want to start your own business? What are your goals? Who do you want to serve? Knowing the answers to these questions will help give you focus and direction as you move forward. So don't hesitate to take some time for introspection. It will be worth it in the end.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://edieclarke.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VirtuallyInSync/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remotevideogal/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virtuallyinsync/

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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