When N.T. (using her initials for privacy) came to me about transitioning from a busy solo Mompreneur to building a digital marketing agency, I knew we had to tackle three things. She was a busy mom running her business alone while her two children were in school.
3 Things to Tackle to Help Her Business
The three things we had to tackle so she could build her digital marketing agency:
- Increase productivity (or at least her knowledge of where the hours were going)
- Increase her confidence in her brand voice
- Add at least one subcontractor
Increase Productivity
NT always felt unproductive. This was the first thing we had to tackle to start building her agency. This is true for many Mompreneurs. You are busy running after children, cooking, cleaning, and so much more. If you add a business, it’s no wonder you feel either unproductive or too busy to do anything else.
The truth, however, is that you are very productive!
How I Helped
The very first thing I like to do with clients is to set priorities. For her, it was her children. She had to keep this at the forefront of her mind.
If this is how you feel as well, you have to make sure that anything you add to your schedule gives way to your priorities first. When you add a client, take on volunteer work, or anything else, ask yourself, “Am I able to keep my priorities and do this?”
We also set up monthly goals and discussed using a planner with check-off boxes. This helps you realize how much you are truly getting done in a day. Yes, add in those personal things you do too (including laundry). Don’t forget to add the cleaning, cooking, running to take and pick up children.
At the end of the day, this Mompreneur began reflecting this in her planner. Once N.T. started keeping track of everything she was really doing, she no longer felt she had things hanging over her.
Confidence Boost
We worked on her confidence, also. One of the barriers was that she struggled with imposter syndrome. Many Mompreneurs struggle with imposter syndrome.
“Impostor syndrome is a psychological pattern where high-achieving individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as “frauds,” despite evidence of success.”
valerie young
She lacked confidence in her services because she had only been providing them for a year. This was true even though she had great reviews, and clients always liked her work.
Valerie (from the quote above) goes on to share five types of impostor syndrome that abound.
At the end of the day, creating awareness and giving it a voice is important. I left room for her to discuss and challenge her beliefs about herself.
We also reviewed her content, reviews, and testimonials (all of which were in the awesome category). I also encouraged her to help build confidence.
Over time, as you provide services for your clients, your confidence will boost. It often takes time and practice in the services you provide. Another thing that can help is taking classes in the topic you feel is a weakness. NT was doing this as well.
She developed more confidence over time as we worked together. As she began creating her digital marketing agency, she grew in her confidence.
Add a Subcontractor
The last thing we needed to do was add a subcontractor to begin to build her digital marketing agency. That sounds easy; however, there are many steps to adding one to your business.
Steps to Add a Subcontractor
- Put out an ad or post of what type of subcontractor you want
- Interviews
- Onboarding with documents
- Contract with specific clauses
- Give access to your processes and system
- Give them an email with your business
- Add them to your project management system
- Train them in your process and systems
These are a few steps to add a subcontractor to your business. I always suggest that they work on your client work first, because that is revenue they are earning for you. Working on your backend does not add to your revenue. Wait to add them to your backend once you have a good income yourself.
How I Helped
She and I walked through her interview. She was added to a portal, which gave her access to onboarding documents, including a welcome email, a checklist of items they (subcontractors) need to return, and a couple of contracts to choose from. I also provided help with delegating to her new subcontractor.
Now, NT, has stepped into the world of providing digital marketing agency services. Yes, that is the first step to starting your agency. Sounds simple, but it takes many steps, perseverance, and hard work. All of which she had and continued to build her agency, always keeping her priorities in sight.
Final Thoughts
I have enjoyed working with NT and continue to do so. She has blossomed over the years into a wise owner of a digital marketing agency that continues to grow (keeping her priorities in mind).
If you need help moving your business forward, book a free mini session with me to discuss where you are and how I can help.
