The Power of Great Coaching: One Marketing Entrepreneur’s Story

Name: Edna Wilson

Business: Wilson Marketing & PR

Founded: 2015

After years of helping organisations with their public communications, Edna Wilson was ready to strike out on her own. As a marketing professional, she had plenty of industry experience. What she didn’t have, however, was a clear vision of how to position her professional skills with her personal interests and passions. Thanks to the time she spent working with 2 different coaches, Edna found her niche.

How did you get established as a freelance marketer?

Before I founded my business, I worked for a bunch of other companies in order to get experience. One of the most wonderful experiences was freelancing for a regional alternative health and food magazine. I did this for 9 years! That helped me get established.

What made you go from freelancing to opening a full-time business?

I’ve held full-time jobs and freelanced on the side for many years. Finally, I said “I need to give working for myself a real shot.” To be honest, I was getting made redundant too much. I worked for charities that just dissolved and couldn't pay me. I didn’t want to be so reliant on a particular company for a paycheque.

I thought I'd have more security and control if I ran my own business, which has proven true. I’m not making the same consistent money I once did, but I’ve been able to diversify my work.

How did you fine-tune your business plan?

I have a coach and mentor who took all my experience and basically helped me position it into a viable business. He's very good at positioning and has helped me figure out how to market my skills so I can serve the people and organisations that need me most.

My coach helped me position the business based on my skill set, interests and passions, as well as what comes naturally for me. The focus of my business is to make marketing simple and easy for whoever hires me. A lot of what I do is give people marketing ideas and then help them implement them. 

What are the biggest challenges you’ve encountered so far?

I didn't realise how difficult it was to be self-employed. I have a writing background, not a sales background. I’ve realised along the way how significant the sales component is.

As a service-based entrepreneur, you have to sell yourself as well as your product or your service. I'd always hated sales. My coach has a direct-sales background of 30 years, so he's very good at this. He's also good at teaching people how to sell in a way that is easier for them. He’s helped me get a lot more comfortable with sales.

How do you get through slow periods?

To be honest, it’s been hard. There isn’t much to do besides “suck it up” and keep persevering. I tend to be very persistent. One thing that’s helped is having some consistent clients and work. For example, I still hold a part-time job managing our local farmer’s market. That offers me consistent income and gives me a lot of momentum during slow periods with planning, connecting and networking. When my business slows down during the summer, I have the farmer's market, which keeps me busy.

What do you want from a small business community?

I focus quite a bit on community and connecting with other small business owners. I’m part of a few online communities because they allow me to connect with people like me. These are places I can go for support, a recommendation or to have a question answered. It’s nice to be able to meet face-to-face and connect with people locally, as well as online.

I’ve also gone on a number of small business retreats, where I’ve met other small business owners and spent time focusing on building my business.

What advice would you give to other small business owners?

Get a coach. If you have a coach you can trust, you can develop a relationship with someone who understands what you’re going through. Coaches often know how to get your business organised quicker, and they can tell you “don't waste your energy here” or “put your energy into creating systems”, which is one of the big things that I have learned to do.

I’ve worked with 2 different coaches who have varying specialities. They’ve both helped me build my business and prioritise my efforts. Hiring coaches have been the best thing I’ve done for my business.

Ready to be a part of an online business community to get virtual help and support from other small business owners like Edna? Join the QB Community! Click HERE to sign up in a flash!