We ask the tough questions
Who, or what, is your biggest inspiration?
Richard Branson goes without saying…so right now, I want to choose Suzy Jacobs from She Business. She's an amazing, passionate woman doing incredible work with a big vision.
What's the biggest thing you've learnt this year?
To succeed in a solopreneur business, you have to let go of the need to make money and instead focus on adding massive value to your clients.
What's the best bit of feedback you've ever had?
Let go of the need to be perfect! It's simply a procrastination strategy.
What’s your proudest moment?
Taking the idea of Expert Agency through to a functioning business with paying clients in less than eight weeks (and signing those clients before I'd even launched!)
What’s your number one stress relief tactic (keep it clean!)?
Riding my beautiful horse Yogi - it's total escapism.
What’s the smartest bit of marketing you’ve ever done?
Understanding that social media is about building relationships and trust, and that it takes time. The connections I've made on social media in the past two years have been instrumental in the rapid success of Expert Agency.
What’s the most enjoyable element of your work? And the least enjoyable?
When a client calls to tell me about a huge success they've had thanks to the work we're doing together. Nothing means more to me than my client's success. The least enjoyable part is probably having to say no to prospects who I know are not a good fit for the Agency and vice versa. Knowing your 'To Don't' list is just as important as your 'To Do' list.
What’s the cheapest, most effective bit of marketing you’ve ever done?
Networking - by far. Nothing beats face to face. Small business is all about authentic relationships.
What’s the biggest challenge you face at work?
Shutting off - I mostly work from home and I'm a workaholic, I have to be disciplined to manage my time and energy and prevent burnout.
What’s the best thing about being a soloist? And the worst thing?
The best thing is the independence and freedom - the worst thing is feeling isolated, which is why communities like Flying Solo are so essential.
What would be your advice to aspiring soloists?
Surround yourself at every opportunity with the people that are going to support, uplift and inspire you. Get involved in networking groups, online communities, mentoring programs - whatever it takes to stay positive and energised and moving forward in your business. Being a soloist doesn't have to mean always going it alone!
What inspires you most about your work?
We live in an age of unprecedented opportunity for soloists in the arena of marketing - the explosion of digital media, social media and the internet means that we can now compete for business at a level that previously was only possible for giant multinationals with equally giant budgets. I just love that anyone, doing anything, from anywhere can make a hugely successful business.
Can you stop at just one chocolate biscuit/savoury snack?
Never! Tim Tams aren't safe around me…
And now comes the plug!
What do you do? Who for? And how does it benefit them?
I help clever and creative people build a successful business around their expertise, through a combination of one-on-one workshops and outsourced services covering everything from PR and marketing, to product development, event management and business support.
And where can we find out more?
- Flying Solo Directory: expertagency.flyingsolo.com.au
- My website: www.expertagency.com.au
Want your turn in the spotlight?
Spotlight profiles are exclusively for selected Flying Solo Business Class members.
Already a Business Class member? Simply log in and go to the 'Members lounge' area, where you'll find the link to the guidelines under the 'Spotlight' heading.
Not yet a Business Class member? Find out more about the best value offering in town.
