 by Pooja Anoop of Pooja Anoop Photography Hello Fam! It’s been a while. I just wanted to re-introduce myself. I’m Pooja & to my left is my better half, Anoop. And that's Pooja Anoop Photography!☺️ I started my journey 4 years back without thinking about what I was getting into as an introverted girl. I’ve learned a lot. Here are a few tips I’d like to share if you’re starting new in the entrepreneurial journey. 👉 You gotta push yourself. 👉 Not everyone you meet is your friend & they don’t have to be! But then some clients turn into your family & hold a close special place. (I’m so blessed to have met you.) 👉 Be open to learning more. 👉 Connect & surround yourself with people with goals & who push you to do better. 👉 Know that Mental Health is essential. Prioritize! 👉 Spend more time with people you love! Life is short. 👉 Above all, nothing comes easy! Believe in yourself. Check out my latest entrepreneurial venture: She Shines, a magazine showcasing incredible women. Here’s a pic of us graduating (see slideshow)! Massive shoutout to Oliver from Urban Business Support for conducting the Entrepreneurship program! We learned a lot, and we are proud to graduate today with so many other outstanding entrepreneurs! by Erica Miller, EDM Consulting, LLC It's our anniversary! As I look back over this year, I am truly amazed at all that I've achieved. I have learned so much about myself while building my business. Transitioning to a full-time entrepreneur in 2022, wasn't an overnight decision but a culmination of experiences, learnings, and the evolution of my first business, which also celebrates its second anniversary! My initial business aimed to empower small businesses with tools for success, such as workbooks, planners and spreadsheets. However, I soon recognized a deeper need – direct assistance. This realization led to the birth of EDM Consulting, a decision I cherish every day. Starting my consulting business was the best decision; I have learned so many things while developing my business and assisting others! I've had the opportunity to work in so many new industries, and my client base continues to expand. I want to share with you the tips that got me to where I am today. If I were to start all over again, this is what I would change: Don’t be afraid to take risks and embrace failure. Only through trying new things will you find success. Your failures are the stepping stones to success. Fear almost held me back, but I'm grateful I pushed through. Every challenge has been a lesson, making me stronger and wiser. Understand what makes you unique and be comfortable in that. Show up as your most authentic self. Your unique perspective, skills, and abilities are what give you an edge. I spent so much time trying to be more like successful entrepreneurs in my field. I didn't think my personality worked for my line of business. That was so far from the truth! Once I accepted who I am as a person and let that shine, clients were drawn to my authenticity. I'm more comfortable and confident speaking to prospective clients, and I know my worth. Do your research! What you think your client needs may not be what they want. I've spent over a decade in management; problem-solving and creating solutions to increase productivity and efficiency. I used that experience to create my first set of products for clients as well as my first processes for assisting my clients. Despite having the knowledge and experience, my services were not in high demand. I learned that I had to understand how to speak the language of my ideal clients and not just offer products and services that I thought they needed. What I offer hasn't changed, but my delivery has. Play to your strengths and leverage your talents and skills. Outsource or delegate what you aren't as good at. When you are starting or running a business, you are most efficient when you learn your strengths early on. Don't waste time perfecting a skill that you aren't good at. Your time is just as valuable as your money. Determine which tasks make sense to outsource instead of trying to do it on your own. Then, you can dedicate your time to the areas where you excel and have more time to focus on serving your clients. I hope these tips will help you in your journey to success. Don’t be afraid to take risks and make mistakes; it’s the only way to grow. Always be yourself and trust the process! Find resources that can help you get through challenging times. There's no need to do it alone. There are so many avenues of support, both paid and free. Please feel free to reach out to me for support at any time. If I cannot assist you, I have a network of people who can. Raising my glass, toasting to many more years of success for your business and mine! Cheers, Erica Miller Your Biz Planner |
